Reports: PCB unlikely to get ICC's clarification over Champions Trophy closing ceremony snub

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is unlikely to get a formal response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the absence of any PCB official during the closing ceremony of Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday, March 9. The controversy arose when Sumair Ahmed, PCB's Chief Operating Officer and Tournament Director for the event, was not invited on stage for the presentation ceremony. 

The PCB said on Tuesday that they had filed a formal complaint with the international governing body. Regardless of the protest, ICC sources have mentioned that the PCB will not receive an official clarification.

“If the PCB mandarins look up, even ICC CEO Geoff Allardice wasn’t present on stage. The reason is protocol,” said an ICC source as quoted by NDTV.

The source further explained that Ahmed, as a PCB employee rather than an office-bearer, was not entitled to be on stage.

“Also, please check—when has a tournament director ever been part of a final presentation? We can give an example. ICC’s new Head of Operations and Communications, Gaurav Saxena, was once the Tournament Director for the Asia Cup in Dubai. Was he on stage for the final presentation?” added the ICC source.

Also Read: ICC reveals reason behind absence of PCB representatives from Champions Trophy 2025 final award ceremony

During the ceremony, BCCI President Roger Binny presented the white jackets to the Indian players and medals to the match officials, while ICC Chairman Jay Shah handed the trophy to captain Rohit Sharma and distributed winners' medals. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia and New Zealand Cricket CEO Roger Twose were also present there. Prominently, Saikia is the BCCI Director on the ICC board, and Binny serves as the Alternate Director. 

Meanwhile, the PCB did not accept the treatment their employees received on the evening of the final. They termed the explanations as "illogical".

“The reasons being given for excluding our COO and tournament director from the stage make no sense to us. We are appalled by this blatant disregard for Pakistan’s role as the host nation. Explanations citing protocol are illogical. We demand a public clarification and assurance that such biased treatment will not be repeated. If ignored, we will escalate this matter to the Board of Governors," the PCB official said.