Champions Trophy Ceremony
ISLAMABADThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially protested to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the exclusion of a host nation’s representative from the prize distribution ceremony following the Champions Trophy final, which took place at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, March 9.
The move has sparked controversy, with the PCB calling it a deliberate breach of protocol that undermines Pakistan’s hosting rights.
According to PCB officials, Sumair Ahmad Syed, the Chief Executive of PCB and Tournament Director of the Champions Trophy, was supposed to represent Pakistan during the ceremony. However, he was completely sidelined, and instead, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary, Devagit Saikia, was included on stage—despite not being designated for that position.
The PCB argues that this decision was not only a violation of standard protocol but also a clear indication of bias in the ICC’s handling of the event.
As per ICC rules, only four officials are allowed on the stage for the prize distribution ceremony. These typically include the ICC chairman, the heads of the cricket boards of both finalist teams, and the chairman of the host nation’s cricket board.
Since PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was unwell and unable to travel, Sumair Ahmad Syed was the rightful representative of the host nation. Syed had even congratulated ICC Chairman Jay Shah on India’s victory before the ceremony, yet he was excluded from the stage.
The controversy does not end with Pakistan’s exclusion. The PCB has also pointed out that the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) was not represented, despite five of the tournament’s matches being held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This has raised further concerns about whether the ICC is allowing external influences to dictate its decisions.
Responding to inquiries, an ICC spokesperson defended the decision, stating that only the head of the host board—such as the president, vice president, chairman, or CEO—is invited to participate in the awards ceremony. Since Naqvi did not attend, the ICC claimed there was no place for another PCB official on stage.
However, the PCB has rejected this explanation, calling it weak and inconsistent. They pointed out that ICC CEO Geoff Allardice, who also carried the host tag, was seen distributing prizes earlier in the event, which contradicts the ICC’s claim that the stage is “not meant for tournament officials.”
The PCB believes that Syed’s exclusion was deliberate and unjustified, adding to a series of questionable decisions throughout the tournament that seemed to favor India.
Pakistan has also accused the ICC of making special arrangements to benefit India, such as allowing them to play all their matches in the same venue and on pitches suited to their playing style—an advantage they wouldn’t even receive at home.
The PCB claims that these actions demonstrate a pattern of bias that unfairly affected the tournament’s integrity.
Given the severity of the situation, the PCB has now escalated the matter in writing, demanding a thorough investigation into the breach of protocol.
The shocking exclusion of Pakistan’s representative has raised serious concerns about the ICC’s neutrality and governance, with many questioning whether the Champions Trophy was truly conducted in an impartial manner.
