ICC Rebukes PCB for Filming Pre-Match Meeting, Calls It Breach of Protocol
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally reprimanded the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for recording a pre-match meeting with match referee Andy Pycroft, terming the act a breach of the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) protocol. The incident occurred ahead of Pakistan’s Asia Cup clash against the UAE on September 17 in Dubai.
According to reports from PTI and ESPNcricinfo, ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta sent a strongly-worded email to the PCB on Thursday, criticising the board’s decision to use a mobile phone to record the meeting. The ICC emphasised that mobile phone usage within the PMOA is prohibited under anti-corruption guidelines, and described the PCB’s actions as “misconduct” and “multiple violations” of protocol.
PCB Insisted on Recording Despite Warnings
The meeting, held before the Pakistan-UAE match, was attended by match referee Andy Pycroft, Pakistan captain Salman Agha, head coach Mike Hesson, team manager Naveed Akram Cheema, and media manager Naeem Gillani. ICC general manager of cricket Wasim Khan was also present.
Sources said that when Gillani attempted to film the meeting, ICC officials reminded him that mobile devices were not allowed in the PMOA. However, the PCB insisted that the meeting be recorded and reportedly warned that Pakistan would not participate in the match unless their demand was met. A compromise was reached, allowing the meeting to be recorded on video — but without audio.
Dispute Over Pycroft’s “Apology”
The meeting was arranged in the wake of the controversial “handshake-gate” incident during the toss between India and Pakistan, where Pakistan claimed Pycroft had instructed captain Salman Agha not to shake hands with India’s Suryakumar Yadav. The PCB alleged that Pycroft’s directive violated the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC's spirit of cricket.
In response, the ICC clarified that Pycroft was only relaying instructions given to him by the Dubai venue manager. During the pre-match meeting, Pycroft expressed "regret over the miscommunication," but the PCB issued a public statement afterwards claiming that he had "apologised" to the team — a claim the ICC flatly denied.
Gupta’s email reiterated that Pycroft had not apologised, but had merely acknowledged a miscommunication. The ICC also stated that an internal inquiry had cleared Pycroft of any wrongdoing in his handling of the situation.
Threat of Boycott
Tensions reached a boiling point on the morning of the Pakistan-UAE match when the PCB instructed its players to remain at the team hotel beyond the scheduled departure time, after discovering that Pycroft would be officiating the match. The board had earlier demanded that Pycroft be removed from the remainder of the Asia Cup, a request the ICC refused.
Eventually, after discussions between the two bodies, the ICC proposed a meeting between Pycroft and the Pakistan team management. This paved the way for the game to begin — albeit after a one-hour delay.
Broader Implications
This episode adds to a growing list of controversies surrounding the Asia Cup and highlights escalating tensions between the PCB and ICC. As scrutiny intensifies, cricket’s global governing body appears determined to assert its authority over protocol and disciplinary standards — regardless of national board pressure.
The ICC has not yet announced any formal sanctions against the PCB, but the fallout from this latest breach could have lasting ramifications on board relations and future international fixtures.