ICC Objects to PCB Recording Controversial Meeting Amid Handshake Fallout
ICC says Pakistan’s cricket board crossed protocol lines by videoing a high-stakes meeting over the “handshake-gate” dispute, challenging the PCB’s narrative and warning of multiple violations
The International Cricket Council has accused the Pakistan Cricket Board of breaching official rules by recording a meeting between match referee Andy Pycroft and Pakistan team management before their Asia Cup match against the United Arab Emirates on September 17.
In a sharply worded email sent Thursday, ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said the use of a mobile phone to film the conversation violated Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) rules, which bar mobile devices under the anti-corruption code.
The meeting at Dubai’s stadium included Pakistan captain Salman Agha, head coach Mike Hesson, team manager Naveed Akram Cheema, media manager Naeem Gillani and ICC General Manager of Cricket Wasim Khan.
Unauthorized Recording Sparks Protocol Dispute
According to the ICC, Gillani tried to film the meeting but was told mobile phones were not allowed in the PMOA. The PCB pressed to record the session, warning Pakistan would not play otherwise. A compromise allowed the board to record without audio.
Gupta called the action “misconduct” and said the PCB committed “multiple violations” of PMOA protocol.
At the meeting, Pycroft clarified he was only relaying instructions — not issuing them — that India captain Suryakumar Yadav would not shake hands with Agha. He expressed “regret over the miscommunication and misunderstanding,” but did not issue a formal apology.
The PCB later released a statement claiming Pycroft had “apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team,” a version the ICC disputed. Gupta reiterated in his email that Pycroft expressed regret but did not apologise as described.
Match Delay and Handshake-Gate Fallout
The Pakistan-UAE match on Wednesday started an hour late after the PCB sought a meeting with Pycroft to address tensions stemming from the “handshake-gate” incident during the toss of the India-Pakistan game on Sunday.
The PCB had demanded Pycroft be removed from officiating the Asia Cup, accusing him of violating the code of conduct and the MCC’s spirit of cricket by telling Agha not to shake hands with Suryakumar — an instruction he received from the Dubai venue manager minutes before the toss.
The ICC said its inquiry cleared Pycroft of wrongdoing. Still, the PCB delayed the team’s departure for the UAE game after learning Pycroft would officiate. Phone calls between the ICC and PCB led to the meeting with Pycroft that allowed the match to proceed.
