pcb-says-media-managers-allowed-to-use-cameras

The Pakistan Cricket Board 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 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 that involved coach Mike Hesson, captain Salman Ali Agha and manager Naveed Akram Cheema.

 

The ICC communication had 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. "The team's media manager is part of the squad and has authorised access to the PMOA. His presence there is not a violation," said a tournament official.

 

According to the PCB, existing protocols allow media managers to use cameras in the PMOA. "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," the official said.

 

Also read: Pak turn up for UAE tie after much ado as ICC backs Pycroft

 

The matter is learnt to have been flagged by the ICC match official to the Pakistan team's ACU official, and he had acknowledged the same. “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," said an ICC official.

 

The showdown had started when Suryakumar Yadav didn't shake hands with his counterpart Salman Ali Agha and the PCB complained to the ICC about match referee violating the protocols pertaining to “spirit of the game” and wanted him to be removed from the tournament or at least from Pakistan's matches.

 

The ICC rejected the PCB's claims and also backed its elite panel match referee, clarifying that he was merely passing on the message of the ACC venue manager. Noticeably, the cricket world has not seen the last of this controversy.