India gamers have a good time with the trophy on the rostrum after profitable the ICC Males’s Champions Trophy 2025 ultimate towards New Zealand on the Dubai Worldwide Stadium in UAE on March 9, 2025. — ReutersPCB Chief Government Sumair Ahmad Syed sidelined from ceremony.BCCI secretary took to stage regardless of not being designated particular person.Pakistan additionally complains of particular privileges for Indian cricket staff.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a proper protest with the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) over the absence of a number nation’s consultant on the prize distribution stage following the Champions Trophy ultimate on the Dubai Worldwide Stadium on Sunday (March 9).
In a transfer that has sparked controversy, PCB Chief Government Sumair Ahmad Syed, who was additionally the Event Director, was utterly sidelined from the official ceremony. As an alternative, Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devagit Saikia took the stage, regardless of not being designated for that place.
The BCCI official’s inclusion got here as solely 4 officers are allowed on the stage for the prize distribution which embody the ICC chairman, heads of the finalist groups’ cricket boards and the host nation’s board chairman.
Since PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was unwell and couldn’t journey, Sumair Ahmad Syed was the rightful consultant of the host nation. He had even congratulated ICC Chairman Jay Shah nicely earlier than the ceremony on India’s success. But, he was utterly ignored.
The BCCI-controlled stage didn’t simply sideline Pakistan’s consultant — it additionally failed to incorporate any officers from the Emirates Cricket Board, although 5 of the event’s matches had been hosted within the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“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, regardless of their presence at the venue, are not part of the stage proceedings,” he maintained.
Nonetheless, the PCB has demanded a proper rationalization from the ICC, rejecting the weak justification that “the stage is not meant for tournament officials.” The PCB identified that ICC CEO Geoff Allardice, who additionally carried the host tag, was seen distributing prizes earlier within the occasion — proving that the exclusion of the PCB CEO was deliberate and unjustified.
The PCB has additionally reminded the ICC of a number of different incidents throughout the Champions Trophy that gave the impression to be designed to undermine Pakistan’s internet hosting rights, together with; India having fun with particular privileges, taking part in all their matches in the identical surroundings and venue and pitches tailor-made to India’s preferences, one thing even they would not get at house.
With tensions working excessive, the PCB has now escalated the matter in writing, demanding an intensive investigation into the blatant breach of protocol.
This surprising exclusion has raised severe questions on ICC’s neutrality and governance — with many now questioning if the Champions Trophy was actually a good and neutral occasion.
