Abu Dhabi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday defended its media manager for filming a meeting between match referee Andy Pycroft and team officials ahead of their Asia Cup game against the UAE, maintaining that the action was within ICC protocols.
On Thursday, ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta had written to the PCB citing “multiple violations” of the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) code, including the recording of the interaction involving coach Mike Hesson, captain Salman Ali Agha, and manager Naveed Akram Cheema.
The ICC’s communication also questioned a PCB press release which stated that Pycroft had apologised, clarifying that the referee had only expressed regret over a miscommunication caused by an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) venue manager.
Addressing the issue, a tournament source outlined the PCB’s response: “The team’s media manager is part of the squad and has authorised access to the PMOA. His presence there is not a violation.”
According to the PCB, existing protocols allow media managers to use cameras within the PMOA. The source added, “If the Standard Operating Procedure was not followed, the ICC should check with the (match) referee on whether the matter was reported to the ACU.”
When contacted by PTI, a tournament source confirmed that the ICC match official did flag the matter to the Pakistan team’s ACU official, who acknowledged it.
Earlier, the ICC was categorical in its email to the PCB. “The ICC, in order to preserve the interest of the sport, the tournament and the stakeholders involved, accepted PCB’s request although this demonstrated a complete disregard for the sanctity of the PMOA, where the meeting took place,” the source said.
The controversy traces back to an incident where Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with his opposite number Salman Ali Agha. The PCB had complained to the ICC about the match referee allegedly violating protocols related to the ‘Spirit of the Game’ and sought his removal from the tournament or from Pakistan’s matches.
The ICC rejected the PCB’s claims and supported its elite panel match referee, clarifying that he was merely conveying the message of the ACC venue manager.
Clearly, the cricket world has not seen the last of this controversy.
*Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/his-presence-there-is-not-a-violation-pcb-defends-its-media-manager-after-icc-threatens-action-for-recording-interaction-with-andy-pycroft
