The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has come to the defence of its media manager Naeem Gillani, who is in the firing line for filming a meeting between match referee Andy Pycroft and team officials ahead of their Asia Cup 2025 fixture against the UAE on September 17.

PCB maintained that Gillani’s action was within ICC protocols after the world body had shot off an e-mail to the Pakistan board, citing “misconduct” and “multiple violations” of the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) protocol before Wednesday’s game.

The ICC had also taken exception to a PCB media release that claimed Pycroft had “apologised”, when in fact he had merely 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," PTI quoted a tournament source as saying, outlining the board's response.

As per 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.

However, when the news agency contacted a tournament source, he said that the matter was indeed highlighted by the ICC match official to the Pakistan team's ACU official and he had acknowledged the same.

Earlier, the global body 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 started after India skipper Suryakumar Yadav refrained from shaking hands with his Pakistani counterpart Salman Ali Agha, and the PCB failed a complaint with the ICC about match referee breaching the protocols pertaining to 'Spirit of the Game' and wanted him to be sacked from the continental event or from Pakistan's matches.

The ICC dismissed PCB's claims and also backed its elite panel match referee, citing that he was merely passing on the message of the ACC venue manager.

(With PTI Inputs)