ICC Likely to Penalize Pakistan for Multiple Violations Ahead of Asia Cup Match Against UAE

The ICC may penalize Pakistan for compromising the sanctity of the PMOA by publicly releasing a video of its conversation with Andy Pycroft.

ICC Likely to Penalize Pakistan for Multiple Violations Ahead of Asia Cup Match Against UAE

The ICC might penalize Pakistan for releasing the video of its behind-the-scenes conversation with match referee Andy Pycroft. (via India Today)

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) is likely to take action against Pakistan for violation of tournament rules, prior the team’s final group stage encounter of the 2025 Asia Cup. The penalty stems from PCB’s decision to release a video of their conversation with match referee Andy Pycroft.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has found itself in a difficult position over the past few days, since the end of the India-Pakistan clash at the Asia Cup. The controversy erupted over the Indian players’ refusal to shake hands with the Pakistani players after the match. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the Pakistani team, had lodged an official complaint against the Indian team over unsportsmanlike conduct.

PCB also issued a complaint against the match referee Andy Pycroft, accusing him of advising the two captains to not shake hands, after the toss. Mohsin Naqvi, referred to Pycroft’s actions as a breach of the ICC Code of Conduct, and even threatened to withdraw from the Asia Cup, in case the Zimbabwean was not discharged from his duties. The ICC rejected this request, creating a stalemate where Pakistan had to decide whether to continue or pull out of their final group stage match against the UAE.

Pakistan ultimately made a u-turn on its initial decision, playing the match against UAE, despite it being officiated by Andy Pycroft. Afterwards, the PCB released a statement claiming that they decided to play the match only after Pycroft apologized for the ‘miscommunication’ during the India-Pakistan game. However, PCB’s press statement seems to have landed them in troubled waters, with the ICC now mulling over whether to penalize Pakistan for a serious breach of rules.

ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta has reportedly sent a message to the PCB, questioning why the meeting was filmed, despite it being held inside the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA), a restricted zone. Several sources suggest that despite apprehensions from the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Manager, the PCB insisted on the presence of its media manager during the closed-door meeting. The conversation was subsequently recorded, which has been deemed a violation of Asia Cup rules. A source close to the ICC said:

The ICC, in order to preserve the interest of the sport, the tournament and the stakeholders involved accepted PCB’s asks although this demonstrated a complete disregard for the sanctity of the PMOA, where the meeting took place.

Furthermore, the ICC is also reportedly disappointed with PCB’s misrepresentation of the conversation. However, ICC officials have contradicted this, claiming that Pycroft did not apologize but instead expressed regret over the miscommunication during the ‘handshake’ row.

India and Pakistan Set to Face Each Other in Another High-Stakes Asia Cup Showdown

India and Pakistan will face each other for the second time in the span of a week, in the 2025 Asia Cup ‘Super Fours’ stage. The highly anticipated rematch will take place at the same venue, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

India-Pakistan Super Fours
India and Pakistan will once again face each other at the 2025 Asia Cup, on Sunday. (via Mint)

The first match between the two sides had ended in a humiliating manner for Pakistan, who lost by a margin of seven wickets. Opting to bat first, Pakistan posted a first-innings total of a mere 127 runs in their 20 overs, with only two batters managing to go past the 20-run mark. Kuldeep Yadav picked a three-wicket haul for India, while Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah also finished with two wickets each. 

India’s chase of the 128-run target was a seemingly easy one, as the world no. 1-ranked T20I team reached the finish line in just 15.5 overs, with 25 balls to spare. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav top-scored with 47 runs. As the two teams prepare for their second clash, concerns remain about the crowd turnout, given the lukewarm response the previous match received due to the strained bilateral relations.

The upcoming ‘Super Fours’ clash may also face significant opposition from Indian cricket fans, who have called for a boycott of all sporting engagements with Pakistan. Social media platforms are expected to once again erupt in protest, with hashtags like #BoycottIndiaPakistan is likely to trend.

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