The PCB was furious at its representatives’ exclusion from the ICC Champions Trophy closing ceremony. This exclusion came after the final in Dubai, which India won against New Zealand on Sunday. The PCB intends to seek an explanation from the ICC for this rare oversight.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCCI officials Roger Binny and the BCCI Secretary were present during the prize distribution. Roger Twose of the New Zealand Cricket Board also joined them on stage. Surprisingly, the host board—the PCB—was not invited to be represented.
He was at the stadium with his Chief Operating Officer and Tournament Director, Sameer Ahmed Syed. However, his attendance was not enough for the ICC to invite him to the ceremony. PCB officials are in the process of drafting a formal letter to the ICC, asking the latter to seek clarification on this exclusion.
The ICC knew that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi would not attend the final. In his stead, Sameer Ahmed Syed was appointed as Pakistan’s representative. As always, host nations are usually featured at such events, but curiously, the ICC didn’t.
This snub has angered PCB officials and cricket fans alike. Many see it as an irreverent gesture from the ICC toward the host board. The incident marred what had been an otherwise successful tournament in Dubai.
