The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has responded to the mail of the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the video recording of the match referee, Andy Pycroft, with the Pakistan captain, Salman Ali Agha, head coach, Mike Hesson, and some other members of the side which went viral on various social media platforms ahead of the clash against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The ICC pulled up the PCB for ‘violation of multiple tournament rules’ as the team delayed the encounter in protest against the world body’s action in a demand for Pycroft’s suspension from the tournament and later from their participating clashes.

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PCB’s demand grew from the handshake controversy in the Asia Cup 2025 encounter against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, as the board blamed Pycroft for the fiasco and also warned of pulling out of the rest of the tournament. After the ICC rejected the request, the Salman Ali Agha-led side shot another letter on the eve of their game against the UAE, besides not attending the press conference in Dubai.

PCB responds to ICC’s mail on Andy Pycroft’s video from Asia Cup 2025

The Pakistan Cricket Board has now responded to the ICC, stating that the team’s presence had authorized the access to the PMOA, adding that his presence in the meeting with the referee is not a violation. The board has also asked the ICC that if the SOP wasn’t followed, then the ICC should look to question the match referee on whether he reported the matter to the ACU.

Pakistan started their campaign with an easy victory against the Oman side before facing a huge six-wicket defeat against India in Dubai. Coming into the last group-stage encounter, they lost against the UAE side to qualify for the Super 4 stage of the competition.

Pakistan will now face their arch-rivals, India, on September 21 in Dubai before making a visit to Abu Dhabi for the clash against Sri Lanka on September 23. Their last group-stage fixture will be against Bangladesh on September 25 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, while the final will take place two days later.