ICC destroys PCB on Champions Trophy presentation ceremony protest; shows them a brutal mirror

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) came up with another controversy after the Champions Trophy 2025 concluded. The hosting nation of the tournament filed an official complaint to the global body after their chief operating officer and the tournament director, Sumair Ahmed, ignored them during the trophy presentation ceremony.

Champions Trophy 2025 concluded on Sunday (9th March) with India emerging winners after they beat New Zealand in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. The Men in Blue beat the opposition by 4 wickets to lift their third title in history.

Champions Trophy presentation ceremony saw ICC chairman Jay Shah, BCCI president Roger Binny, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and New Zealand Cricket's CEO Roger Twose on stage. But there wasn't a single official from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

We have filed a formal complaint - PCB source

PCB Chairman was unable to attend the Champions Trophy due to personal commitments, and instead, PCB's chief operating officer, Sumair Ahmed, was sent to Dubai. But the global body ignored him and he wasn't called on the stage during the Trophy representation.

This, however, didn't go well with the PCB and they lodged an official complaint. The source close to the developments confirmed the same to PTI, saying: "We have filed a formal complaint with the ICC as what happened is unacceptable to us."

Please check when a tournament director has been on stage for the presentation - Global body gives strong response to PCB

The global body, however, came up with a strong response. A source close to the global body confirmed that there is a protocol, and Sumair is a PCB employee, pointing out that the tournament director hasn't been on the stage ever. He explained:

"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 a tournament director has been on stage for the presentation," the official further added.

"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?"

We are waiting for a formal clarification/apology - PCB to ICC

The response didn't go well with the PCB as they termed the global body's explanation as illogical. The source added that the Board wants a public apology and assurance that such things won't happen in the future. He said:

"The reasons being given for not having our COO and tournament director on stage for the final presentation make no sense to us. We are waiting for a formal clarification/apology," the PCB official said. "We are appalled by this blatant disregard for Pakistan's role as the host nation."

"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."

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