The International Cricket Council (ICC) is unlikely to give any "formal clarification" to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the latest controversy, which erupted during the Champions Trophy 2025 presentation ceremony in Dubai on Sunday. The matter escalated after none of the PCB members were present for the presentation party despite Pakistan being the host of the tournament, which also drew reaction from ex-cricketer Shoaib Akhtar. (Also Read: Shoaib Akhtar fails to understand PCB officials' snub from Champions Trophy presentation ceremony)
Sumair Ahmed, who is chief operating officer of the PCB and was the tournament director of the Champions Trophy, was not invited on stage for the final presentation. "We have filed a formal complaint with the ICC as what happened is unacceptable to us," a PCB official was quoted as saying by PTI on Tuesday.
However, as per another report by the same news agency citing ICC sources, the PCB is unlikely to receive any formal explanation on the matter. "If the PCB mandarins look up, even ICC CEO Geoff Allardice wasn't present on stage. The reason is protocol," the report quoted the ICC source as saying.
"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 can give an example. ICC's new head of operations and communications Gaurav Saxena was once Tournament Director for Asia Cup in Dubai. Was he on stage for final 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 reasons being given for not having our COO and tournament director on stage for the final presentation make no sense to us. We are waiting for a formal clarification/apology," the PCB official said. "We are appalled by this blatant disregard for Pakistan's role as the host nation," the official said.
"Giving explanations that ICC only invites CEOs, chairmen, vice-chairmen or secretaries for the ceremony is illogical. We want a full public clarification and an assurance that such biased and unjust treatment will not happen again or we will push this matter to the Board of governors," he added.
-with PTI inputs
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