The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected the ICC’s explanation for excluding its CEO and Champions Trophy tournament director Sumair Ahmed Syed from the presentation ceremony. The issue adds to PCB’s concerns over Pakistan’s treatment as the host nation.
PCB Rejects ICC’s Explanation Over Pakistan Officials’ Snub at Champions Trophy Ceremony
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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the exclusion of its CEO and Champions Trophy tournament director, Sumair Ahmed Syed, from the presentation ceremony of the Champions Trophy final in Dubai. According to reports, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi was not convinced by the ICC’s reasoning, which claimed that the absence of Naqvi led to changes in the event’s protocol.
PCB’s Objections to ICC’s Handling of the Event
The final of the Champions Trophy saw India defeat New Zealand by four wickets, securing the prestigious title. However, controversy overshadowed the closing ceremony as key PCB officials were notably absent from the presentation stage.
During the ceremony:
- BCCI president Roger Binny presented white jackets to the Indian players and awarded medals to match officials.
- ICC chairman Jay Shah handed the trophy to India’s captain Rohit Sharma and distributed medals to the winners.
- BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and New Zealand Cricket CEO Roger Twose were also present on stage.
The ICC reportedly explained that Naqvi was originally scheduled to be part of the event, but when he did not attend the final, adjustments were made. However, PCB has outright rejected this explanation, citing multiple instances where it believes Pakistan’s status as the tournament host was undermined.
Controversies Surrounding Pakistan’s Host Status
This is not the first time during the tournament that PCB has raised concerns. The board highlighted several missteps by ICC, including:
- Logo Controversy: The Champions Trophy 2025 logo was changed on the live broadcast during the India vs Bangladesh match, raising questions about Pakistan’s role as the host.
- Anthem Mix-Up: During the Australia vs England match in Lahore, the Indian national anthem was mistakenly played for a few seconds before being corrected. ICC later cited a technical mix-up with the playlist as the reason.
PCB’s Stand on the Issue
The PCB has taken these incidents seriously and plans to formally protest to the ICC regarding the treatment of its officials and Pakistan’s position as the host country. Sources within the board indicate that Naqvi is determined to seek clarity and accountability from ICC on the matter.
Despite the controversy, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed gratitude to everyone involved in organizing the tournament.
“Your commitment and collective efforts ensured the seamless execution of this prestigious tournament,” he stated on social media.
He also emphasized that Pakistan takes immense pride in hosting the Champions Trophy and making it a grand spectacle for cricket fans worldwide.
The snub of PCB officials at the Champions Trophy final has further strained relations between PCB and ICC, adding to previous controversies over Pakistan’s hosting status. With the Champions Trophy 2025 set to take place in Pakistan, it remains to be seen how these tensions will impact future ICC events. As PCB moves ahead with its protest, cricket fans await a response from the governing body.
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