The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally reprimanded the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for &ldquo;multiple violations&rdquo; of tournament regulations during the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. 
The warning comes just before Pakistan&rsquo;s Group A fixture against the UAE in Dubai on Wednesday, which was delayed by more than an hour due to escalating tensions.
The row originated from the handshake controversy during Sunday&rsquo;s high-profile India-Pakistan clash. 
PCB accused match referee Andy Pycroft of mishandling the matter and demanded his removal, even threatening to withdraw from the tournament. 
When the ICC rejected the request, PCB escalated the standoff by preventing players from leaving their hotel ahead of the UAE game.
A lengthy meeting involving PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and former chiefs Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja eventually cleared the players to take part. 
However, tensions grew further after PCB released a muted video on social media showing Pycroft speaking with captain Salman Ali Agha, team manager Naved Akram Cheema, and coach Mike Hesson.&nbsp;
The board described the clip as an &ldquo;apology.&rdquo;
According to PTI, ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta sent a letter to PCB citing &ldquo;misconduct&rdquo; and &ldquo;repeated breaches&rdquo; of the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) protocol. 
The reprimand followed an attempt by PCB media manager Naeem Gillani to attend a closed-door meeting and record it.&nbsp;
Although denied entry with his phone, the board later circulated the restricted footage online &mdash; a further breach of ICC rules.
To prevent a full-blown crisis, ICC eventually conceded to PCB&rsquo;s last-minute demand for Pycroft to meet Pakistan&rsquo;s captain and manager before the toss. 
But officials said the move reflected a &ldquo;disregard for the sanctity&rdquo; of the PMOA and undermined the integrity of the competition.
While PCB projected the meeting as a formal apology, ICC insiders clarified that Pycroft merely expressed &ldquo;regret over miscommunication.&rdquo; 
The episode has added another layer of strain to the already fraught ties between PCB and the world governing body.

ICC warns PCB over repeated Asia Cup violations, escalating tensions with match officials

ICC Rebukes PCB For Asia Cup Rule Breaches

ICC warns PCB over repeated Asia Cup violations, escalating tensions with match officials

September 19, 2025 | 16:01 IST