The IND vs PAK drama over the handshake controversy continues. Late on Thursday, it had emerged that ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta had fired a mail to the PCB, over the Andy Pycroft meeting with Salman Ali Agha and coach Mike Hesson, clearing some misunderstanding. There PAK team manager had recorded the meeting, and ICC had cited PMOA violations for the same.
India vs Pakistan Continues
But now, as per a report in Cribuzz, the PCB has disputed this claim. They went on to argue that the media manager is part of the squad and ICC protocols allow them to use cameras. “The team’s media manager is part of the squad and has authorized access to the PMOA. His presence there is not a violation.
“ICC protocols include provisions that allow media managers to use cameras. If the SOP was not followed, the ICC should question the match referee on whether he reported the matter to the ACU official,” the PCB wrote to the ICC on Friday. But then what might go against the PCB is, the phone is allowed in the PMOA area, but does not allow the media manager to use it for any purpose.
PCB Fighting for Sake of It
Meanwhile, the PCB made unverified claims that Pycroft went on to apologise to the Pakistan team, for the entire handshake episode. The board has been making some unreasonable demands after the entire episode took place, and even threatened to boycott the tournament, if Pycroft was not removed.
Eventually, their demands were not met. But the issue is expected to continue, given India and Pakistan are slated to face off on September 21 in the Super 4 stage. They have issued a hollow threat to Team India, that if they don’t want to shake hands in the next match, prior information should be given.
