The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has raised significant concerns following the absence of a representative from the host nation at the presentation ceremony after the Champions Trophy final in Dubai on March 9.
PCB’s Chief Operating Officer, Sumair Ahmed Syed, was present at the final match between India and New Zealand, but he was not invited to the stage as part of the dignitaries presenting the awards. Syed, who also serves as the director of the tournament, was notably excluded from the proceedings, which the PCB has described as a serious misstep.
The board’s displeasure has led to an official complaint being lodged with the International Cricket Council (ICC), with PCB spokespersons expressing their frustration over the situation. “A formal complaint has been lodged with the ICC, demanding an explanation and a public apology,” a PCB representative stated. “We are appalled by this blatant disregard for Pakistan’s role as the host nation.”
The PCB’s grievance revolves around what it believes to be a breach of protocol. “The ICC’s decision to exclude Mr Syed — who was both the Tournament Director and the PCB Chair’s designated representative — violates its own standard operating procedure,” the spokesperson continued. “This is a matter of principle, fairness, and respect for the game’s global stakeholders.”
Interestingly, the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, had been officially invited to attend the ceremony but was unable to travel to Dubai due to illness, leaving Syed as the senior PCB official in attendance.
In response to the incident, the ICC clarified the reasoning behind Syed’s exclusion from the awards presentation. An ICC spokesperson explained, “The ICC only invites the head of the host board such as the president, vice-president, chairman, or CEO to participate in the awards ceremony. Other board officials, even if present at the venue, are not part of the stage proceedings.”
Despite this explanation, the PCB continues to view the situation as part of a pattern of “repeated blunders” by the ICC. “The ICC’s repeated blunders, double standards and selective governance have cast serious doubts over its credibility,” said the PCB spokesperson. “By sidelining the host nation at its own tournament, the governing body has once again shown a troubling lack of neutrality and fairness.”
The PCB has made it clear that their concerns extend beyond this single incident. “We have demanded a full public clarification and an assurance that such biased and unjust treatment will not happen again. The PCB expects professionalism, transparency, and equal representation from cricket’s governing body.”
In conclusion, the PCB’s position is that this issue transcends the presentation ceremony itself. “This is not just about a presentation ceremony — it is about respect, integrity, and the fundamental principles of fair governance in international cricket,” the PCB spokesperson concluded. “The world is watching. Will the ICC finally uphold professionalism, or will it continue to cater to selective interests at the cost of cricket’s global integrity?”
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
