‘ICC showed us mirror’: Ex-Pakistan cricketer admits team ‘didn’t deserve’ podium spot after Champions Trophy final – Sports News
Pakistan’s absence from the podium during the ICC Champions Trophy final presentation ceremony, despite hosting the tournament, has sparked a controversy. Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has weighed in, attributing the situation to the team’s poor performances both in the tournament and in the lead-up matches.
“The ICC held up a mirror to us,” Akmal said on his YouTube channel. “The tournament’s director (Sumair) was there. He was available, and why wasn’t he in the ceremony? It is because we don’t deserve to be there. We are not playing good cricket. Minow teams have shown us the mirror.”
“No one discussed how Pakistan hosted the tournament. If we play such cricket, we will be treated like this. If you play for yourself, there will be no respect,” he added.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially lodged a complaint with the ICC on Tuesday after Sumair Ahmed, the PCB’s Chief Operating Officer and tournament director of the Champions Trophy, was excluded from the final’s trophy presentation. India defeated New Zealand in the final to claim their second title, but the post-match ceremony’s omission of a Pakistani representative became a talking point.
While the ICC has not released an official response, sources cited by PTI suggested that the decision was based on protocol. “If the PCB mandarins look up, even ICC CEO Geoff Allardice wasn’t present on stage. The reason is protocol,” an ICC source explained. “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?”
The source further cited examples, noting that ICC’s new head of operations and communications, Gaurav Saxena, who previously served as Tournament Director for the Asia Cup in Dubai, was also not part of the final presentation.
Pakistan’s disappointing Champions Trophy campaign
As hosts and defending champions, having defied the odds to win the title in 2017, Pakistan had high expectations coming into the tournament. However, their campaign was short-lived, as they struggled in both of their group-stage matches.
Pakistan suffered a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in the opening match in Lahore, followed by a six-wicket loss to India. These back-to-back defeats effectively ended their hopes of progressing, with New Zealand’s victory over Bangladesh officially sealing their early exit. Their final group-stage match against Bangladesh was ultimately abandoned due to rain, closing out a forgettable tournament for the hosts.
