Sports

Champions Trophy: PCB Files Protest with ICC Over Prize Ceremony Omission

Published

11 months ago

March 12, 2025

Facing criticism for not having its representative present on the podium during the prize distribution ceremony after the Champions Trophy final, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally protested to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the oversight during Sunday’s event in Dubai.

According to senior PCB officials, the board has submitted a strongly-worded letter to ICC management questioning why their representative, who was present at the stadium, was excluded from the podium. This information was reported by Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) on Monday.

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Pakistan officially hosted the Champions Trophy, which was held using a hybrid model, with Rohit Sharma’s team playing its matches in Dubai due to restrictions from the Indian government preventing travel to the neighboring country.

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PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi conveyed that he would not attend the final, as he was engaged in a joint parliament session in the country on Monday, a position he holds as the interior minister. Instead, PCB’s Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed represented the board at the final. However, according to ICC protocols, he was deemed ineligible for the podium ceremony, a decision the PCB disputes.

“The PCB has officially protested to the ICC regarding the exclusion of PCB COO and CT25 tournament director Sumair Ahmed Syed from the presentation ceremony on Sunday,” insiders mentioned to Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) on Monday.

ICC protocols dictate that the ICC Chair distributes the prizes and that the host nation is represented on the podium. In contrast, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Director Roger Twose, BCCI President Roger Binny, and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia were present on the podium when ICC Chair Jay Shah handed the trophy to Rohit Sharma following India’s victory over New Zealand.

The PCB contends that since Saikia and Twose were invited to the podium without being heads of their respective boards, Sumair Ahmed should have also been included, as per the report.

Sources indicate that the PCB’s letter pointed out several mistakes made by the ICC during the event.

“The ICC committed various errors, such as altering the CT25 logo on the broadcast feed during India’s match against Bangladesh and mistakenly playing the Indian anthem during the Australia versus England match in Lahore,” an official shared.

“Yet another ICC event marred by controversy. Pakistan’s name was omitted from a broadcast graphic, there was an anthem mix-up during a key match, and the host board was disregarded at its own event. When will accountability commence?” a PCB insider questioned.

The PCB management has faced significant backlash following the absence of their representative from the podium, with former cricketers interpreting it as a slight to the country at an event they were coordinating.

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Sports

Pakistan Sets 3 Conditions to Play against India in T20 World Cup

Published

3 days ago

February 9, 2026

Namma Kudla

Dubai: Pakistan has placed three conditions before the International Cricket Council (ICC) to agree to play against India in the T20 World Cup.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) planned to boycott the match scheduled on February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The ICC warned Pakistan about possible consequences after this decision.

Now, PCB is willing to consider playing the match but has made key demands. It has asked the ICC to increase compensation for Bangladesh, pay participation fees even if Bangladesh is left out of the tournament, and grant Bangladesh hosting rights for a future ICC event.

Some PCB officials support playing against India, but PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has not agreed yet. He is expected to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday before making a final decision.

So far, PCB has not officially confirmed whether Pakistan will play the match.

Sports

T20 World Cup | Pakistan Edge Past Netherlands in a Close Contest

Published

5 days ago

February 7, 2026

Namma Kudla

Colombo: The T20 World Cup began today with an exciting match between Pakistan and the Netherlands. Pakistan secured a narrow three-wicket victory despite a strong bowling performance. However, the top-order batters failed to deliver. With this win, Pakistan made a positive start to the 10th edition of the tournament.

After losing the toss, the Netherlands batted first at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo. The team was bowled out for 147 runs in 19.5 overs. Pakistan chased the modest target and scored 148 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 19.3 overs.

Pakistan started aggressively, but the Netherlands slowed their progress. Pakistan lost four wickets for 98 runs. Soon, they were in trouble at 114 for seven. Faheem Ashraf played a crucial role at the end and guided the team to victory.

For Pakistan, Sahibzada Farhan scored 47 runs, while Saim Ayub added 24 runs. Faheem Ashraf contributed an important 29 runs. The rest of the batters failed to score big. Star batter Babar Azam disappointed fans by scoring only 15 runs off 18 balls.

Earlier, Netherlands captain Scott Edwards scored 37 runs. Bas de Leede made 30 runs, Colin Ackermann added 20, and Michael Levitt scored 24 runs. The remaining batters were dismissed for low scores.

Sports

India Clinch Record Sixth Under-19 World Cup Title

Published

5 days ago

February 7, 2026

Namma Kudla

Sports: India defeated England by 100 runs to win the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 final at the Harare Sports Club. The victory marked India’s sixth title, making them the most successful team in the tournament’s history.

India batted first and posted a massive total of 411 for 9 in 50 overs. The innings was powered by 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed a record-breaking 175 runs off just 80 balls. His knock included 15 fours and 15 sixes and became the highest individual score ever in an Under-19 World Cup final.

Suryavanshi also shared a crucial 142-run partnership with captain Ayush Mhatre, who scored 53 runs. Their strong batting display helped India set a daunting target of 412 for England.

England tried to fight back in the chase, with Caleb Falconer scoring 115 and Ben Dawkins adding 66. However, the team was eventually bowled out for 311, handing India a comfortable victory.

Suryavanshi was named Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament for his historic performance. The triumph once again highlighted India’s dominance in youth cricket on the global stage.