PCB Protest Sparks Tensions Over Absenteeism at ICC Ceremony

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally protested to the ICC over the absence of the host nation's representation during the Champions Trophy final ceremony in Dubai. PCB Chief Executive Sumair Ahmad Syed was the intended representative, given the unavailability of Chairman Mohsin Naqvi due to illness.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the lack of a Pakistani representative during the prize distribution ceremony at the Champions Trophy final in Dubai. Sumair Ahmad Syed was supposed to stand in for the indisposed Mohsin Naqvi.

The event saw major figures from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and ICC present. However, the ICC clarified they had invited Naqvi, who was unable to attend. This has prompted the PCB to demand an explanation from the ICC, highlighting several perceived slights during the tournament.

Issues during the event extended beyond representation. According to ESPNcricinfo, PCB's status as the host has been undermined before, with Pakistan's omission from the broadcast logo and a DJ mistake involving national anthems at a Lahore match. The ICC called these errors incidental, attributing them to oversight.

(With inputs from agencies.)