The Asia Cup has thrown up its share of drama, but the latest saga looks like a little cricket governance soap opera. A handshake dispute was followed by a recorded meeting, a mobile phone in the Players & Match Officials Area (PMOA), and a showdown between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the ICC.
What actually happened
On September 17 in Dubai, the Pakistan cricket team’s management had a brief meeting with match referee Andy Pycroft before a postponed game. Pakistan’s media manager recorded this interaction on a mobile device inside the PMOA area. Following this, Sanjog Gupta, the CEO of the ICC, reached out to the PCB and labeled the incident as misconduct, highlighting multiple violations of the PMOA code by the board. The PCB countered these claims by stating that media managers have authorized access to that area and are permitted to carry cameras for their official responsibilities.
Subsequently, they shared an audioless video of the meeting and asserted that Pycroft apologized; however, this assertion has been contested by the ICC. There is also a difference in how each side interprets Pycroft’s tone during this encounter: while the PCB insists he expressed regret, the ICC contends he merely acknowledged some miscommunication—especially since filming occurred just minutes before a match intensified matters further.
Why those rules matter
The PMOA is seen as a sacred area because anti-corruption and match processes are intended to prevent unauthorized recording or communication of sensitive match-day information. Tournament regulations may allow media managers a device for official duties, but they explicitly prohibit active use – filming, calling, or texting – within the PMOA, so conversations with match officials are controlled and protected. That slight difference between possession and active use leads to the dispute over intent and optics. Anti-corruption policies are practical, not ceremonial: PMOA regulations are to deter any communication of sensitive information that could be used inappropriately or create an appearance of impropriety.
The broader stakes: image, governance, and penalties
This struggle is more than a mobile phone, ultimately. It is about who controls the narrative and how rules are enforced. The PCB demanded an inquiry into the handshake scenario and action against the referee, while the ICC asked Pakistan for proof for those claims and looked into some aspects of the board’s narrative. Multiple sources report the ICC is considering disciplinary action for alleged breach of PMOA rules and the misrepresentation of events. Even if the ICC decides on sanctions, this will have a clear precedent for how strict boards need to adhere to the protocols. Still, harsh sanctions could also dramatically escalate relations ahead of significant matches.
The practical solutions may not be headline generators, but they work: clearer SOPs, unambiguous guidelines on documentation in sensitive areas, and a clear process for all reports. At a basic level, practical solutions like publishing redacted, unedited incident reports, streamlining the media’s role, and enhancing coordination on-site would alleviate many of these circumstances. The game of cricket will benefit when administrators prioritize clarity over theatrics. Will boards learn and refine procedures ahead of the next marquee match-up, or will the visual persist?
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