A fresh storm is brewing in the world of cricket! The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly sent a strongly-worded email to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), citing significant violations in the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) during a recent match at the Dubai International Stadium on September 17.
Sources close to the matter indicate that ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta personally penned the email, emphasizing that unauthorized filming within the sensitive PMOA zone constitutes a grave breach of regulations. It appears the PCB had insisted on recording a crucial discussion involving match referee Andy Pycroft, Pakistan captain Salman Agha, and coach Mike Hesson.
When confronted about the unauthorized recording in the PMOA, the PCB allegedly threatened to withdraw from the match. To prevent further disruption and ensure the game proceeded, other officials reluctantly allowed the recording. However, the PCB’s subsequent actions, including public statements critical of Pycroft and the dissemination of the recorded footage on social media, have caused considerable displeasure within the ICC.
Further reports suggest that the PCB’s media manager attempted to bring a phone into the PMOA, and when challenged, similar pressure tactics were employed just before the UAE fixture. While Match Referee Pycroft and the ICC aimed to resolve misunderstandings privately, it seems the PCB deliberately chose to sensationalize the meeting held within the PMOA ahead of the match against UAE.
The global cricket body had previously sent an email to the PCB on September 17, the very day the initial ‘handshake drama’ unfolded and delayed the fixture by an hour. The PCB has yet to provide a full response to that earlier communication. All eyes are now on how the PCB will react to this latest, even more forceful, email from the ICC, as this ongoing saga continues to dominate cricket headlines.