Pakistan cricket greats Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar have expressed their disappointment on the absence of Pakistani illustration throughout Sunday’s presentation ceremony for the Champions Trophy closing in Dubai.
India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the tournament decider to safe a 3rd Champions Trophy title, turning into the primary nation to realize the feat. The ultimate, together with every of India’s different 4 matches, had been performed within the United Arab Emirates as a result of the Indian authorities didn’t grant permission for the nationwide cricket crew to journey to Pakistan.
Nonetheless, regardless of being the official host nation, Pakistan didn’t have any cricket officers current throughout the post-match presentation ceremony. As a substitute, on the rostrum was BCCI president Roger Binny, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, New Zealand Cricket director Roger Twose and ICC chair Jay Shah, who beforehand served because the BCCI secretary. Former Australian cricket captain Aaron Finch, having lifted the T20 World Cup on the identical venue in 2021, was additionally tasked with bringing the trophy onto the rostrum.
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“India have received the Champions Trophy, however I seen one thing slightly unusual,” former Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar posted to Twitter.
“There wasn’t a single consultant from the PCB on the rostrum, regardless that Pakistan was the host of the match. I can’t perceive why nobody was there to characterize the nation. It’s past me to even take into consideration. There ought to have been somebody on this world stage. Sadly, I didn’t see any PCB members on the market.”
PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi was meant to be a part of the presentation ceremony, however didn’t journey to Dubai for the ultimate, reportedly resulting from feeling unwell. Talking on the Dressing Room present, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram questioned why match director Sumair Ahmad Syed, who can also be the PCB’s Chief Working Officer, wasn’t invited on stage in Naqvi’s absence.
“We had been the host, weren’t we proper?” Akram stated.
“How come even the COO of PCB or whoever it could be who was representing (Naqvi), why weren’t they on stage? Had been they not invited? I don’t know what’s the story. It positively appeared odd to me whereas sitting right here.”
In accordance with ESPNcricinfo, the PCB has reached out to the ICC for an evidence.
On Tuesday, the ICC launched an announcement explaining that solely elected members or administrators of boards are permitted on stage for presentation ceremonies.
“Mr. Naqvi was unavailable and didn’t journey to Dubai for the ultimate,” the assertion learn.
“The ICC solely invitations the top of the host board—such because the president, vice chairman, chairman, or CEO—to take part within the awards ceremony. Different board officers, no matter their presence on the venue, will not be a part of the stage proceedings.”
Earlier within the Champions Trophy, the PCB sought an evidence from the ICC after Pakistan’s title was omitted from the brand on the official broadcast for the group-stage match between India and Bangladesh in Dubai. The next day, the Indian nationwide anthem briefly performed at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium forward of the group-stage match between Australia and England, additional antagonising the PCB.
Pakistan was internet hosting its first main ICC match in almost three many years.
