The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is unlikely to receive a ‘formal clarification’ from the International Cricket Council (ICC) concerning their perceived snub at the Champions Trophy closing ceremony in Dubai. This follows India’s victory over New Zealand in the final. The controversy arose when Sumair Ahmed, PCB’s chief operating officer and Champions Trophy tournament director, was not invited onto the stage for the presentation. A PCB official stated they had filed a formal complaint, deeming the situation ‘unacceptable’.
However, ICC sources suggest no formal explanation will be provided to the PCB. According to an ICC source, protocol dictates that even ICC CEO Geoff Allardice was not on stage. The source explained that Sumair Ahmed, as a PCB employee and not an office-bearer, typically would not be part of the presentation ceremony. They questioned whether a tournament director has ever been present on stage for such presentations, citing an example where even the ICC’s head of operations, Gaurav Saxena, was not on stage during a past Asia Cup in Dubai when he was the Tournament Director.
During the ceremony, BCCI president Roger Binny presented white jackets to Indian players and medals to match officials. ICC chairman Jay Shah awarded the trophy to India’s captain Rohit Sharma and medals to the winning team. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and New Zealand Cricket CEO Roger Twose were also present on stage. It was noted that Saikia is a BCCI Director on the ICC board, and Binny is the Alternate Director.
The PCB official reiterated their disagreement with the reasons given for excluding their COO and tournament director, stating they found them ‘senseless’ and were still awaiting a formal clarification or apology.
The official expressed the PCB’s strong disapproval of what they perceived as a ‘blatant disregard’ for Pakistan’s role as the host nation.
They further argued that justifications based on inviting only CEOs, chairmen, vice-chairmen, or secretaries to the ceremony were ‘illogical’. The PCB is seeking a full public clarification and assurance that such treatment will not recur, threatening to escalate the matter to the Board of Governors if unsatisfied.
