ICC unlikely to offer any explanation to PCB

New Zealand gamers shake arms with the ICC officers on the rostrum through the presentation ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy after their loss in opposition to India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, March 9, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AP

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is unlikely to obtain any “formal clarification” from the ICC on the perceived snub through the closing ceremony of the Champions Trophy in Dubai.

India beat New Zealand by 4 wickets within the title conflict on Sunday (March 9, 2025) to win the event for the third time.

The controversy erupted when Sumair Ahmed, who’s chief working officer of the PCB and was the event director of the Champions Trophy, was not invited on stage for the ultimate presentation.

“We have filed a formal complaint with the ICC as what happened is unacceptable to us,” a PCB official stated on Tuesday. However in accordance to ICC sources, the PCB will not be given any formal explanation.

“If the PCB mandarins look up, even ICC CEO Geoff Allardice wasn’t present on stage. The reason is protocol,” stated the ICC supply.

“Sumair Ahmed is an employee of the PCB and not an office-bearer. Also please check when has a tournament director been on stage for presentation? “We may give an instance. ICC’s new head of operations and communications Gaurav Saxena was as soon as Tournament Director for Asia Cup in Dubai. Was he on stage for ultimate presentation,” an ICC source said.

BCCI president Roger Binny presented the white jackets to India players and the medals to match officials, while ICC chairman Jay Shah handed the trophy to skipper Rohit Sharma and gave the medals to the winners.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and New Zealand Cricket’s CEO Roger Twose were also present on stage. It must be mentioned that Saikia is BCCI Director on ICC board and Binny is the Alternate Director.

“The causes being given for not having our COO and event director on stage for the ultimate presentation make no sense to us. We are ready for a proper clarification/apology,” the PCB official said.

“We are appalled by this blatant disregard for Pakistan’s position because the host nation,” the official said.

“Giving explanations that ICC solely invitations CEOs, chairmen, vice-chairmen or secretaries for the ceremony is illogical. We desire a full public clarification and an assurance that such biased and unjust therapy won’t occur once more or we’ll push this matter to the Board of governors,” he added.