Pakistan bowler Haris Rauf received a 30 percent match fee fine. This was for his aggressive behavior during the Asia Cup match against India. Teammate Sahibzada Farhan got a formal warning for his controversial celebration. India captain Suryakumar Yadav also faced a 30 percent fine. The ICC concluded disciplinary hearings on Friday. Rauf's gestures mocking Indian fans were deemed unacceptable.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has defended match referee Andy Pycroft, criticising Pakistan for creating unnecessary controversy over the handshake issue after India's Asia Cup win. Ashwin highlighted that India had informed the referee in advance about their decision to avoid handshakes, accusing Pakistan of unfairly targeting Pycroft and demanding his removal.
Despite recent controversies and objections from the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding Andy Pycroft's conduct, the ICC has appointed him as the match referee for the crucial Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s match between India and Pakistan. This decision follows PCB's allegations and a subsequent threat to withdraw from the tournament, which was later resolved through negotiations.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has responded to the ICC's concerns regarding potential PMOA violations during a recent match. The PCB defended its media manager's actions, claiming authorised access and adherence to ICC protocols, while the ICC raised objections to filming a sensitive meeting and alleged blackmail. The situation remains tense, potentially leading to further action from the ICC.
Amidst uncertainty surrounding Pakistan's Asia Cup participation, the PCB demanded match referee Andy Pycroft's removal, alleging code of conduct violations during the India-Pakistan match, specifically regarding the captains not shaking hands. Despite PCB's threats and ACC's involvement, the ICC stood firm, asserting Pycroft followed ACC instructions and didn't violate any rules.
The ICC rejected PCB's request to replace match referee Andy Pycroft during the Asia Cup after Pakistan alleged he instructed their captain to avoid handshakes with India's captain. The ICC clarified that ACC officials informed Pycroft about the no-handshake policy.
Pakistan Cricket Board is in a standoff with the International Cricket Council. This follows a handshake controversy with the Indian team. PCB threatens to boycott their Asia Cup match against UAE. They demand the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft. If Pakistan withdraws, they will be eliminated. India has already qualified for the Super 4s.
India's Asia Cup victory over Pakistan is now embroiled in controversy as the Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, skipped the customary post-match handshake, citing directives from the government and BCCI. This action, potentially violating the ICC's Spirit of Cricket, drew criticism from Pakistan's coach, leading to a formal protest.
Alastair Cook and Michael Vaughan have called for significant reforms to Test cricket rules. Cook suggested allowing teams to take two new balls within 160 overs at their discretion, while Vaughan advocated for broader substitution rules beyond concussion replacements to maintain match quality. Both believe these changes are crucial for Test cricket's competitiveness and player welfare.
The ICC has announced a massive 297% increase in prize money for the 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup, totaling $13.88 million. This surpasses the 2023 Men's World Cup payout, signaling a major step towards gender pay parity. Winners will receive $4.48 million, a 239% jump from 2022.
The ICC has shifted the venue for the Women's Cricket World Cup, replacing Bengaluru with Navi Mumbai, which will now host up to five matches, including a semi-final and potentially the final. The tournament will span five venues across India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2.
South Africa's ODI series against Australia began with a victory overshadowed by concerns regarding Prenelan Subrayen's bowling action. The off-spinner, making his debut, was reported for a suspect action and will undergo assessment. This setback impacted South Africa's team balance, especially with Kagiso Rabada's injury.
Ravi Shastri advocates for England as the ideal venue for the World Test Championship finals initially, citing its neutral appeal. He suggests that as the tournament gains popularity, larger stadiums in India and Australia, like the MCG and Ahmedabad, could host future finals to accommodate bigger crowds.