NEW DELHI: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has introduced new guidelines barring journalists from raising political questions at press conferences, in what appears to be an effort to ease tensions following last Sunday's India-Pakistan clash.

Ahead of India's scheduled media briefing on Thursday, featuring spinner Kuldeep Yadav, an ACC media official specifically asked reporters to "avoid political queries."

The directive is being viewed as a damage-control measure, with the ACC's media wing already facing criticism over its handling of recent controversies. Earlier this week, for instance, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem was repeatedly pressed about Pakistan's delayed arrival for a match.

The flashpoint came when India captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to shake hands with Pakistan counterpart Salman Ali Agha at the toss. The Indian players also skipped post-match handshakes as a mark of respect to victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.

With Indian journalists pressing tough questions at successive press conferences, the continental body has now opted to clamp down on political lines of inquiry.

Meanwhile, a senior ICC board member questioned how Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) managed to skip a mandatory pre-match press conference despite being in training.

"If there is a contagious disease or if a team is in mourning, it is understandable. But how come Pakistan didn’t attend the PC?" the official asked, referring to the press briefing that did not take place before the Pakistan-UAE game.

(With PTI Inputs)