A major controversy emerged over the weekend regarding the absence of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials during the closing ceremony of the Champions Trophy held in Dubai. The incident raised eyebrows as the PCB had the honor of hosting the tournament, yet no representative was on stage during the crucial closing moments.
FOLLOW US ON OUR FB PAGE
Sources indicate that Sumair Ahmed, the PCB’s Chief Executive Officer and tournament director, was present at the venue but surprisingly not invited to participate in the ceremony. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi did not attend the event due to prior commitments as the Federal Minister for Interior; nonetheless, Sumair Ahmed was present to represent the board.
Unfortunately, a lack of communication appears to have led to his omission from the podium where prominent leaders like ICC Chairman Jay Shah and BCCIÂ President Roger Binny honored the champions.
Remarkably, this oversight left Pakistan, the host nation, without a voice on stage, particularly poignant given the historical context of the tournament. The PCB is reportedly set to address this oversight with the ICC to clarify the reasons behind the exclusion.
ALSO READ: 3 Contenders for Next England ODI Captaincy
The situation has been further scrutinized by former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, questioning why no PCB representatives were present during the trophy presentation.
In a video shared on social ‘X’, he expressed disbelief at the oversight, emphasizing that it was a significant moment for Pakistan as the host. “Feeling very down to see that,” Akhtar remarked, underscoring the importance of representation on such a grand stage.
The aftermath of this miscommunication has highlighted the need for improved coordination between the ICC and national boards. As cricket continues to grow in international stature, incidents like these call for closer attention to representation and protocol, particularly for host nations like the PCB, who navigated challenges to provide a platform for the tournament amid geopolitical tensions.