There has been a big uproar in the International Cricket Council (ICC) before the Champions Trophy. The resignation of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Geoff Allardice surprised everyone. He has decided to step down just weeks before the Champions Trophy. A board member has indicated that his failure to present a clear picture of the preparations of host Pakistan is one of the many reasons behind this move.
Got a big responsibility in 2012
57-year-old Allardice joined the ICC as General Manager of Cricket in 2012 after serving as Cricket Operations Manager at Cricket Australia. In November 2021, he was appointed CEO of the ICC after serving as Acting CEO for eight months.
What did Allardice say?
Allardice said in a statement, “It has been a privilege for me to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council. I am proud of the results we have achieved. From increasing the reach of cricket globally to the commercial foundation established for ICC members. I believe it is the right time for me to step down and pursue new challenges.”
Why did Allardyce resign?
The official ICC statement made no mention of the exact reasons for Allardyce’s departure, but a top source said the development has been brewing for some time. “The ICC T20 World Cup in the US was a major failure in terms of playing conditions and going over budget. Auditing is still being done. What drove the final nail was the Champions Trophy. Where as CEO he had to give a clear picture about Pakistan’s readiness to host a tournament of such importance,” the board member told PTI on condition of anonymity.
Questions raised over preparations for Champions Trophy in Pakistan
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to begin on February 19. The Indian team will not tour Pakistan due to security reasons. Its matches will be held in Dubai. The major concern for the ICC is that the tournament venues in Karachi and Rawalpindi are still partially under construction or undergoing renovation. The pictures that have emerged from there are not very positive.
What did Jay Shah say?
It remains to be seen whether Pakistan will be ready in time for the major event, which features the top eight teams in the world and is being held for the first time since 2017. However, ICC President Jay Shah praised Allardice for his contribution. He said, “On behalf of the ICC Board, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Geoff for his leadership and commitment during his tenure. His efforts have played an important role in advancing cricket globally. We are truly grateful for his service and wish him all the best for his future endeavors.”
