The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly preparing to take strong action against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over alleged protocol violations during the ongoing Asia Cup tournament.
According to a report by Indian media, the controversy emerged in the buildup to the much-anticipated Pakistan-India clash on September 21, with accusations that the PCB breached tournament regulations.
India Today claimed that ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta raised questions over why a pre-match meeting, held between Pakistan’s captain, match referee Andy Pycroft, and other match officials, was recorded despite a clear prohibition on the use of mobile phones and cameras in such settings.
The sharing of this video on social media, which showed the match referee apologizing to the PCB, is said to have further aggravated the ICC’s concerns, prompting the governing body to consider disciplinary measures.
The report also suggested that Pakistan’s team had committed multiple infractions of tournament rules even before their match against the UAE, adding to the ICC’s unease. Sources claim that the ICC views these actions as undermining established protocols and the authority of match officials.
The situation was further complicated when Andy Pycroft reportedly instructed Pakistan’s captain, Salman Agha, not to shake hands with Indian skipper Surya Kumar Yadav during the Pakistan-India fixture.
This instruction sparked discontent within the PCB, which subsequently called for Pycroft’s removal. The controversy reached its peak when Pycroft later apologized to both the PCB and the Pakistani squad, a move that was captured and circulated online.
With the ICC now weighing punitive action, tensions surrounding the Asia Cup have intensified. The matter highlights the sensitivity of India-Pakistan encounters and the broader scrutiny on the conduct of officials and players in high-stakes tournaments, where both cricketing and political rivalries remain deeply intertwined.
