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The International Cricket Council (ICC) is preparing to take strict disciplinary action against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for multiple rule violations during the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai.
PCB accused of multiple breaches during Asia Cup 2025
The breaches include delaying a scheduled match, unauthorized filming inside restricted areas, and making misleading public statements regarding match referee Andy Pycroft.
The controversy began ahead of Pakistan’s Group A fixture against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where PCB allowed its media manager to film inside the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA). The video, which showed captain Salman Ali Agha, team manager Naved Akram Cheema, head coach Mike Hesson, and referee Andy Pycroft in a meeting, was later circulated on social media. ICC regulations strictly forbid any filming within the PMOA.
Further, Pakistan delayed the start of the same game by nearly an hour after instructing players not to leave their hotel. The protest stemmed from ICC’s decision not to suspend Pycroft following the handshake row between India and Pakistan earlier in the tournament.
Adding fuel to the controversy, PCB claimed that Pycroft had issued a formal apology, a statement later contradicted by ICC officials.
ICC sends a formal notice to PCB
According to reports, ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta has sent a formal notice to the PCB, citing repeated breaches of conduct and disruption of tournament protocols. Disciplinary proceedings are underway, with potential sanctions including heavy fines and additional measures.
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The ICC emphasized that delays to match schedules, breaches of media protocol, and public misrepresentation of official matters will not be tolerated. Investigations are ongoing into PCB’s statements, social media activity and the events surrounding the delayed UAE match.
The sequence of events traces back to Pakistan’s heated Group A clash with India. During the toss, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav refrained from shaking hands with Salman Ali Agha, in a gesture linked to honouring victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. PCB accused Pycroft of mishandling the situation and pushed for his removal. However, the ICC reviewed the matter and cleared the referee of any wrongdoing.
With repeated breaches of protocol now on record, ICC’s disciplinary committee is expected to announce strict action against Pakistan in the coming days. The developments have further strained the tournament’s atmosphere, overshadowing on-field cricket with off-field controversies.
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