Asia Cup 2025: PCB Defends Media Manager Amid ICC Rules Violation Allegations

There is no end to the drama surrounding the Pakistan team in Dubai as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seems grappling to come to terms with its unfulfilled demand for the expulsion of match referee Andy Pycroft. It is now engaged in a war of words with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the September 17 fiasco with the breaches by the Pakistan team of the guidelines in the Players & Match Officials Area (PMOA) area coming to light.

For those who don’t know, ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta sent a strong email to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about a video they shared. The video showed match referee Andy Pycroft talking with captain Salman Agha, coach Mike Hesson, and the team manager before their match against the UAE.

It was later revealed that Pakistan’s media manager was present at the meeting even though he wasn’t allowed and he also recorded the video in a restricted area. The ICC also disagreed with Pakistan’s claim that Pycroft had apologized.

During the short meeting, the PCB claimed that Pycroft had apologized to the Pakistan team over the handshake issue, but the ICC says he only expressed regret for any miscommunication. The PCB later shared a video of the meeting without audio. Earlier, Pakistan had asked for an inquiry into the controversy, but the ICC asked for proof and the grounds for such a probe and sources say Pakistan has not provided any evidence. The matter may not be over yet and more drama could happen ahead of Sunday’s big Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan.

🚨 Video clip of match referee Andy Pycroft apologising to Pakistan’s manager and captain. pic.twitter.com/VnBKM6ePBa

— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) September 17, 2025

Mobile Phone Use in PMOA Violates ICC Rules

According to a Press Trust of India (PTI) report, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said their media manager had permission to enter the Player and Match Officials Area (PMOA). The board, led by Mohsin Naqvi also blamed the match referee and asked why the issue was not reported to the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).

"The team's media manager is part of the squad and has authorized access to the PMOA. His presence there is not a violation. ICC protocols include provisions that allow media managers to use cameras. If the SOP was not followed, the ICC should question the match referee on whether he reported the matter to the ACU official," the PCB wrote to the ICC on Friday, a day after the ICC CEO sent the ICC objection to the Pakistan team.

The PCB’s argument seems weak because mobile phones are not allowed in the PMOA, which is a highly restricted area. Media managers can carry phones but cannot use them. The issue happened when match referee Andy Pycroft called a meeting with Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha, coach Mike Hesson, manager Naveed Cheema and media manager Naeem Gillani just before their delayed match against the UAE in Dubai. The media manager recorded the meeting, even though using a phone in the PMOA is against the rules.

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