Pakistan Cricket Board responds to ICC over PMOA violation in Asia Cup; PCB questions world body, ‘if SOP was not…’

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly responded to the International Cricket Council (ICC) arguing that there was no violation of Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA). Following the Pakistan vs UAE game, which was delayed by an hour, the ICC shot an e-mail to the PCB on Thursday citing misconduct and "multiple violations" of PMOA protocol.

According to a PTI report, the PCB stated that media manager had authorized access to the PMOA and that his presence in the meeting with the match referee Andy Pycroft isn't a violation. The report stated PCB questioning ICC that if it was a violation when was it not reported to the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) right there.

In its response to ICC, the PCB defended its media manager filming a meeting between match referee Andy Pycroft and Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson, captain Salman Ali Agha, and manager Naveed Akram Cheema.

"The team's media manager is part of the squad and has authorised access to the PMOA. His presence there is not a violation," a tournament source told the news agency, outlining the board's response. 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 source added.