Rajveer Sekhawat 
In the most recent Asia Cup 2025 scandal, the International Cricket Council(ICC) has reported several violations by the Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB), after the so-called incident of handshake with India, and the further steps taken by Pakistan. Media, match officials, and restricted areas are some of the areas that the ICC rules have been questioned on. The following is an outline of what is known to date–and what may succeed.
The Handshake Row
Indian footballers boycotted handshakes after the match against Pakistan because of political tensions. Pakistan considered this to be un-sportsmanly, and complained.
The PCB insisted that match referee Andy Pycroft be removed in relation to Asia Cup. ICC rejected that demand.
Filming Restricted Area PMOA Violations.
Prior to the match against UAE (Sep 17), a meeting was held between coach, Mike Hesson, the captain, Salman Ali Agha, and Pycroft. The media manager insisted on being there in the said meeting and this is within a restricted zone known as PMOA (Players & Match Officials Area) where cameras, phones and media coverage are not allowed.
The media manager subsequently authorized and filmed the meeting (apparently without audio) and PCB subsequently released a video clip on which Pycroft allegedly apologised to her due to a miscommunication occurrence during the incident of the handshake. According to ICC, the apology was being distorted by the board, as Pycroft only said that he was sorry he had miscommunicated, which is entirely different to the very meaning of apology.
Threat of Pull-Out and Delay of Match.
The team of Pakistan went as far as not leaving their hotel to play in the UAE match in protest after ICC refused to withdraw the referee. The game began approximately an hour later than it was scheduled to be. PCB threatened to withdraw out of the match should its demands not be fulfilled.
Which Rules and Protocols were broken.
PMOA Protocol — the media is usually not admitted to the meetings within PMOA, particularly when match officials are present.
Media — guidelines regarding what is allowed to be published, the way claims are stated, what is considered to be a misrepresentation. It is discouraged to share systems of video without the consent of ICC.
Misrepresentation – to say something is an apology when it is a regret on miscommunication is a big difference in ICC/PCB communications.
Match scheduling – activities that cause delays in commencing games, threat of withdrawal, standing off with officials can be against the tournament rules on conduct, match management.
What ICC Has Done Already
These violations have been mentioned in a mail / letter by ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta to PCB: misconduct, PMOA protocol violations, misrepresentation in the media.
ICC has denied PCB the proposal of the removal of Andy Pycroft as the match referee.
Possible Penalties from ICC
According to reports, ICC might impose the following measures to PCB depending on the severity of the violations:
Caution/Discipline: PCB can receive a formal reprimand.
Fine: The payment of PCB or particular officials.
Suspension: Leadership and front line employees (such as the media manager) may be put under temporary suspension.
Media Bans: Stricter regulation concerning the filming and sharing that PCB can make.
Points Deduction: Not likely, in this case, but may occur in the other tournaments.
Additional disciplinary hearing
An official ICC disciplinary committee could be established to investigate the violations, hear testimonies, facts and impose punishment.
Why This Matters
Tournament rule integrity: There are PMOA rules and match official protocols that ensure there is fairness, undue pressure, or manipulation. Any violation of them would lead to a slippery slope.
Precedent: The way this is done can cause precedence in the manner boards relate to match referees, how they use media etc.
Relations & trust: Threats to withdraw, false representation of official positions, etc. may undermine trust between ICC and member boards, among teams.
The media and general opinion: The social media will magnify any mistake; the way PCB and ICC are communicating will influence the opinion of stakeholders (fans, sponsors, players).
What Happens Next
ICC is likely to make a formal decision / notice of whatever punishment it chooses. PCB will get an opportunity to appeal or respond.
The inside investigations may include: Who gave permission to film, who gave permission to share the video, who wrote the media release containing an apology. PCB may also be sanctioned or restricted in its operations depending on the result.
It could also influence the manner in which future matches would be officiated (greater control of PMOA, more rigid gatekeeping of media access) to avoid recurrence of the incident. Read more
