Pakistan Cricket Board Disciplined by ICC for Infractions at Asia Cup 2025

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been formally reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for violating several tournament protocols ahead of its final Group A match in the Asia Cup 2025 against the UAE. The situation arose due to the PCB’s insistence on the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft after a handshake incident in Pakistan’s previous game against India. Though the ICC rejected the request, the PCB pursued the matter aggressively, even contemplating withdrawal from the tournament. Before the UAE match, further attempts to resolve the issue resulted in disruptions. The Pakistan team was confined to their hotel rooms while PCB officials, including current chairman Mohsin Naqvi and former chairmen Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja, held a prolonged meeting, delaying the game. Moments before the toss, the PCB announced on social media that Pycroft had apologized to the team. A video was later shared online, showing Pycroft in discussions with team members. The ICC sent an email to the PCB before the match, citing misconduct and breach of Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) rules. The ICC highlighted that the PCB allowed its media manager, Naeem Gillani, to record the meeting despite being warned against it. The ICC CEO, Sanjog Gupta, informed the PCB of repeated PMOA violations. The PCB included their media manager in the meeting; he was initially prevented from entering by the ICC Anti-Corruption Manager because he wanted to bring a mobile phone into the PMOA. The ICC, seeking to avoid further problems, conceded to a compromise where Pycroft met with the Pakistan team’s manager and captain before the toss. However, the PCB demanded to record and publish the meeting, generating controversy. The ICC clarified that Pycroft had only expressed regret over miscommunication, not a formal apology, contrary to PCB’s claims.