The relationship between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) is strained. This comes after the PCB felt their representative was overlooked at the Champions Trophy closing ceremony in Dubai on Sunday. India defeated New Zealand to win the Champions Trophy final, and the ceremony included BCCI president Roger Binny, secretary Devajit Saikia, and ICC chairman Jay Shah. However, no PCB representative was invited to the stage during the awards. While PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had informed the ICC he would be absent, chief operating officer Sumair Ahmed was present in Dubai for the final.
Reports suggest that Sumair Ahmed was not acknowledged by the ICC. Amidst this disagreement, a Pakistani cricket expert claimed that the BCCI was behind Sumair Ahmed being ignored. This expert also mentioned that the Indian players’ blazers, traditionally white, will always bear Pakistan’s name as the host.
During a discussion on ARY News, the expert commented, ‘It was surprising. The ICC decides who is invited to the stage. Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, had said he wouldn’t attend, though I believe he should have gone to Dubai. Sumair Ahmed, the COO, was there, but the ICC didn’t recognize him by inviting him on stage. Throughout the tournament, India has tried to undermine Pakistan – they didn’t want to wear jerseys with Pakistan’s name and were reluctant to travel to Pakistan. Yet, ultimately, Pakistan was acknowledged. The white jacket they wore, with Pakistan’s name, will always have it written on it.’
In a humorous response, the anchor joked that at least India will remember Pakistan as a ‘tailor’.
‘Because of this, India will definitely remember Pakistan as a tailor,’ the anchor quipped, causing laughter.
It is important to note that the PCB has officially protested to the ICC about their representative’s exclusion.
When asked for comment, the ICC spokesperson stated that Mr. Naqvi was invited to the ceremony, but he did not attend.
‘The ICC only invites the head of the hosting board, such as the president, vice president, chairman, or CEO, to the awards ceremony. Other board members, regardless of whether they are present, are not included in the stage proceedings,’ the ICC spokesperson told Geo News.
