A controversy erupted ahead of Pakistan’s crucial Group A match in the Asia Cup 2025 against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 17, 2025, at the Dubai International Stadium. The PCB, still reeling from their dissatisfaction with Andy Pycroft’s handling of the India-Pakistan match, delayed the start of the UAE game by an hour, protesting the ICC’s refusal to remove the veteran match referee. The PCB had reportedly accused Pycroft of violating the ICC Code of Conduct and the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) Spirit of Cricket laws by allegedly instructing captains Suryakumar Yadav (India) and Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan) not to shake hands at the toss. The Indian team’s refusal to shake hands post-match, in solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam
terror attack, further inflamed tensions, prompting Pakistan to skip the post-match presentation and lodge a formal complaint.
And now. the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finds itself embroiled in a deepening controversy with the International Cricket Council (ICC) during the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai, as report from Cricbuzz claims that tensions over a breach of the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) protocol have escalated into a war of words. The dispute, reportedly centered around the PCB’s unauthorised filming of a meeting with match referee Andy Pycroft and their persistent demand for his removal, has cast a shadow over the tournament, with the ICC considering disciplinary action against the PCB for multiple rule violations.
Despite PMOA regulations, PCB media manager Naeem Gillani recorded the meeting: Reports
The situation reportedly reached a boiling point on September 17 when the PCB insisted on including their media manager, Naeem Gillani, in a pre-toss meeting with Andy Pycroft, captain Salman Ali Agha, coach Mike Hesson, team manager Naveed Akram Cheema, and ICC General Manager Wasim Khan. Despite PMOA regulations strictly prohibiting the use of mobile phones or cameras in this restricted zone, reports claim that Gillani recorded the discussion, which the PCB later shared on social media without audio, claiming Pycroft had apologised for the handshake “miscommunication”.
Just yesterday, multiple reports claimed that ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta sent a stern email to the PCB, accusing them of “misconduct” and “multiple violations” for filming in the PMOA, a restricted zone, breaching anti-corruption guidelines. The PCB’s reported threat to boycott the UAE match forced the ICC to allow media manager Naeem Gillani’s presence. On September 19, 2025, the PCB defended Gillani’s authorised access, questioning Pycroft’s failure to report to the ACU. However, PMOA rules ban mobile device use, weakening PCB’s unsubstantiated defense. Now, PCB reportedly faces the risk of sanctions for PMOA breach, overshadowing Pakistan’s 41-run win over the UAE. Reports further claim that ICC will also review misconduct, with PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi vowing to pursue this matter further. Ahead of the India Pakistan Super Four clash on September 21, 2025, it is reportedly expected that the match might see more drama.