Could Pakistan Be Banned? ICC Probe Puts PCB in Dangerous Territory
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has found itself in the firing line after its aggressive stance over the handshake controversy with India during the Asia Cup 2025. What began as a protest against India’s refusal to shake hands has snowballed into a major embarrassment, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) now investigating Pakistan for serious breaches of conduct.
What Happened Between India and Pakistan?
The tensions began when the Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, refused to engage in the customary post-match handshake with Pakistan following their group-stage clash in Dubai. The decision, aligned with the Indian team’s diplomatic boycott, upset Pakistan players, who then lodged an official complaint with the ICC against match referee Andy Pycroft.
The PCB accused Pycroft of failing to maintain decorum, claiming he encouraged Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha to avoid the handshake at the toss. However, the ICC quickly dismissed the allegations, clarifying that Pycroft merely relayed instructions from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) officials on the ground.
Frustrated, Pakistan even threatened to boycott their next Asia Cup match before taking a last-minute U-turn to avoid further chaos.
Why PCB Could Land in Trouble
According to a report by Kushan Sarkar of PTI, ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta has sent an official notice to the PCB regarding multiple violations of the Players’ Match Officials Area (PMOA) regulations before their clash against the UAE.
The alleged breaches include:
- Article 4.11: No individual is permitted to carry mobile phones into the PMOA. Pakistan staff members reportedly flouted this rule.
- Article 4.22: While media managers may carry phones, they must remain on silent and unused. Pakistan’s media manager allegedly used his phone, breaching the rule.
- Article 2.2.11: No unauthorized cameras may be installed for recording. PCB allegedly filmed referee Andy Pycroft without permission and even used the footage without audio.
Reports further suggest that when denied the right to bring a phone inside, the PCB threatened to boycott the UAE match, escalating tensions further.
What Punishments Could Follow?
If found guilty of these breaches, the ICC could impose hefty fines on the PCB. More worryingly, if multiple violations are confirmed, Pakistan could even face a temporary suspension from international cricket events.
Such a move would deal a devastating blow to Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign and beyond, casting doubt over the board’s credibility and leadership.
The ICC has yet to confirm the timeline of its investigation, but the matter has already overshadowed Pakistan’s on-field performances and sparked widespread criticism of PCB’s handling of the situation.
