ICC Refuses to Clarify Champions Trophy Dispute, Questions PCB's Assertion on Tournament Director's Presence on Stage

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal complaint with the ICC following the controversy surrounding the exclusion of Sumair Ahmed, the PCB's chief operating officer and tournament director of the Champions Trophy, from the trophy presentation ceremony after the final on Sunday. Despite this, the ICC is not expected to provide a formal clarification to the PCB regarding the incident.

India beat New Zealand by four wickets in the final in Dubai on Sunday, lifting the Champions Trophy for an unprecedented third time in history. With PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi not present at the venue for the match, Sumair was sent In his stead as a representative of the Pakistani board. However, ICC ignored his presence and did not call him to the stage for the trophy presentation ceremony.

BCCI president Roger Binny presented the white jackets to Indian players and the medals to match officials, while ICC chairman Jay Shah handed the trophy to skipper Rohit Sharma and gave the medals to the winners. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and New Zealand Cricket's CEO Roger Twose were also on stage. It must be mentioned that Saikia is the BCCI Director on the ICC board, and Binny is the Alternate Director.

"We have filed a formal complaint with the ICC as what happened is unacceptable to us," a PCB official told PTI on Tuesday.

ICC responds to PCB

Despite PCB's complaint, the report added ICC sources confirming that Pakistan won't get any formal explanation. The sources reminded that the tournament protocol left ICC with no choice but to snub Sumair from the ceremony.

"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 has a tournament director been on stage for presentation?

"We can give an example. ICC's new head of operations and communications Gaurav Saxena was once Tournament Director for Asia Cup in Dubai. Was he on stage for final presentation," the source added.

PCB, however, deemed the response "illogical," as they stuck to their demand for a "full public clarification" against the "unjust treatment" from ICC.

"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," he added.

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