New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has found itself at the center of a controversy following the Champions Trophy closing ceremony in Dubai. The absence of PCB officials from the stage has sparked widespread criticism, with former cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar expressing his disappointment over the snub. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the PCB and the International Cricket Council (ICC), particularly after India’s decision to avoid playing in Pakistan.
The PCB is set to lodge a formal complaint with the ICC over the exclusion of its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Sumair Ahmed, from the Champions Trophy presentation ceremony. Ahmed was sent to represent Pakistan after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was unable to attend due to other commitments. However, despite his presence at the venue, Ahmed was not invited on stage during the ceremony.
The ICC’s explanation that they had prepared for Mohsin Naqvi’s presence but changed plans when he didn’t show up has been rejected by the PCB. The ceremony featured prominent figures like ICC Chairman Jay Shah and BCCI President Roger Binny, but no PCB representative was given the opportunity to participate. This oversight follows a series of controversies, including India’s refusal to play in Pakistan and several errors during the tournament that questioned Pakistan’s status as the host nation.
Among these errors, the ICC was criticized for changing the Champions Trophy logo during a live broadcast and mistakenly playing the Indian national anthem during a match in Lahore. The ICC attributed the latter to a playlist mix-up, which was quickly corrected. Despite these challenges, the PCB has acknowledged the success of the tournament, thanking all involved parties for their efforts.
