By The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly issued a strong warning to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding a breach of protocol during the closing ceremony of the Champions Trophy in Dubai. Despite PCB’s concerns over an alleged snub at the event, sources indicate that the ICC is unlikely to provide any formal clarification.
The Controversy Unfolds
The Champions Trophy 2025 concluded on Sunday, with India defeating New Zealand by four wickets to clinch their third title. However, instead of the spotlight remaining on India’s triumph, the post-match ceremony was overshadowed by PCB’s frustration over what they perceived as unfair treatment.
The tension arose when Sumair Ahmed, who played a crucial role as the tournament director, was not invited on stage during the prize distribution ceremony. This omission did not sit well with PCB, leading the board to file a formal complaint with the ICC.
“We have filed a formal complaint with the ICC as what happened is unacceptable to us,” a PCB official stated on Tuesday, expressing deep disappointment over the incident. The board argued that their senior representative deserved recognition and should have been part of the grand finale.
However, ICC sources were quick to dismiss PCB’s grievance, reiterating that the decision adhered strictly to the governing body’s long-established protocols and traditions.
ICC’s Firm Stance on Protocol
According to ICC insiders, no formal clarification will be issued to PCB, as the absence of their representative from the stage was in line with standard procedures. An ICC source clarified:
“If PCB officials review past events, they will notice that even ICC CEO Geoff Allardice was not present on stage. The reason is simple—protocols are followed at every event.”
The source further explained that Sumair Ahmed, despite his role as tournament director, remains an employee of PCB rather than an office-bearer. Therefore, his exclusion from the ceremony was neither an oversight nor an intentional snub but rather a strict adherence to the rules.
“When has a tournament director ever been invited on stage for the final presentation? For example, ICC’s new Head of Operations and Communications, Gaurav Saxena, previously served as Tournament Director for the Asia Cup in Dubai. Was he invited on stage for the final presentation? The answer is no.”
The ICC’s explanation further pointed out that only high-ranking officials such as CEOs, chairmen, vice-chairmen, or board secretaries are traditionally invited to the stage.
During the ceremony, BCCI President Roger Binny presented white jackets to the Indian players and medals to the match officials, while ICC Chairman Jay Shah handed the trophy to Indian captain Rohit Sharma and distributed the winners’ medals. Other dignitaries, including BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia and New Zealand Cricket CEO Roger Twose, were also present on stage.
PCB’s Frustration and Demand for Action
Despite ICC’s firm stance, the PCB remains adamant, stating that the reasons provided for excluding their official do not justify the action. Expressing their disappointment, a PCB official said:
“The reasons given for not having our COO and tournament director on stage make no sense to us. We are still waiting for a formal clarification and an apology.”
The official further emphasized that Pakistan played a significant role in organizing the tournament, and the apparent disregard for their presence was unacceptable.
“We are appalled by this blatant disregard for Pakistan’s role as the host nation. The ICC’s justification that only CEOs, chairmen, or board members are invited to such events is illogical. We demand a full public clarification and an assurance that such biased and unjust treatment will not happen again. Otherwise, we will escalate this matter to the ICC Board of Governors.”
The escalating tension between PCB and ICC over the Champions Trophy ceremony highlights the underlying friction within international cricket politics. Whether ICC will officially address PCB’s concerns or continue to uphold its protocol remains to be seen. However, this incident has undoubtedly added another chapter to the ongoing saga of governance disputes in world cricket.
