"Since when do tournament directors get a VIP pass to the presentation stage?" That was essentially the ICC’s snarky comeback to the PCB’s demand for a formal explanation as to why no Pakistani official graced the Champions Trophy presentation ceremony.
Unfazed by the complaint, sources within cricket’s governing body coolly pointed out, 'If the PCB mandarins look up, even ICC CEO Geoff Allardice wasn't present on stage. The reason is protocol,' said the ICC source.
'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," the ICC source added.
Pakistan was the official host of the tournament, yet no Pakistani official handed out the trophy. Instead, it was ICC President Jay Shah and BCCI’s Roger Binny taking center stage.
The excuse? According to reports, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi couldn't travel to Dubai because of official duties—but hold up, Sumair Ahmed was right there in Dubai but was not given a podium invitation. Talk about a presentation with more plot twists than the match!
This didn't go down well with the Pakistan Cricket Board and 'made no sense to them'. A PCB official stated that they were 'waiting for a formal clarification/apology from the ICC.'
"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.
However, ICC has made one thing clear - It thinks PCB’s argument holds as much weight as a feather in a hurricane—forget about getting a formal clarification!
