PCB calls for thorough investigation into blatant breach of protocol after BCCI official took stage at awards ceremony
\n ISLAMABAD
\nThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the absence of a host nation\u2019s representative on the prize distribution stage following the Champions Trophy final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday (March 9).
\nIn a move that has sparked controversy, PCB Chief Executive Sumair Ahmad Syed, who was also the Tournament Director, was completely sidelined from the official ceremony. Instead, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devagit Saikia took the stage, despite not being designated for that position.
\nThe BCCI official\u2019s inclusion came as only four officials are allowed on the stage for the prize distribution which include the ICC chairman, heads of the finalist teams\u2019 cricket boards and the host nation\u2019s board chairman.
\nSince PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was unwell and could not travel, Sumair Ahmad Syed was the rightful representative of the host nation. He had even congratulated ICC Chairman Jay Shah well before the ceremony on India\u2019s success. Yet, he was completely ignored.
\nThe BCCI-controlled stage did not just sideline Pakistan\u2019s representative \u2014 it also failed to include any officials from the Emirates Cricket Board, even though five of the tournament\u2019s matches were hosted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
\nWhen approached by Geo News on PCB officials\u2019 absence from the Champions Trophy ceremony, the ICC spokesperson argued that Naqvi was invited to the ceremony but did not attend.
\n\u201cThe ICC only invites the head of the host board \u2014 such as the president, vice president, chairman, or CEO \u2014 to participate in the awards ceremony. Other board officials, regardless of their presence at the venue, are not part of the stage proceedings,\u201d he maintained.
\nHowever, the PCB has demanded a formal explanation from the ICC, rejecting the weak justification that \u201cthe stage is not meant for tournament officials.\u201d The PCB pointed out that ICC CEO Geoff Allardice, who also carried the host tag, was seen distributing prizes earlier in the event \u2014 proving that the exclusion of the PCB CEO was deliberate and unjustified.
\nThe PCB has also reminded the ICC of several other incidents during the Champions Trophy that appeared to be designed to undermine Pakistan\u2019s hosting rights, including; India enjoying special privileges, playing all their matches in the same environment and venue and pitches tailored to India\u2019s preferences, something even they wouldn\u2019t get at home.
\nWith tensions running high, the PCB has now escalated the matter in writing, demanding a thorough investigation into the blatant breach of protocol.
\nThis shocking exclusion has raised serious questions about ICC\u2019s neutrality and governance \u2014 with many now wondering if the Champions Trophy was truly a fair and impartial event.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PCB calls for thorough investigation into blatant breach of protocol after BCCI official took stage at awards ceremony ISLAMABAD The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the absence of a host nation\u2019s representative on the prize distribution stage following the Champions Trophy final at the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":353012,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-466646","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n