The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the appointment of Sumair Ahmad Syed as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), following the approval of the Board of Governors in its 75th meeting. This decision comes after India's refusal to tour Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
PCB names Sumair Ahmad Syed as new Chief Operating Officer
PCB has announced a change in its leadership. Sumair Ahmad Syed has been appointed as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO), replacing Salman Naseer. While Naseer is stepping down from the COO role, he will continue to be involved with the PCB in a different capacity. He has been named Advisor to the PCB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) department.
Sumair Ahmad Syed brings a wealth of administrative experience to the PCB. Most recently, he served as the Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office. His appointment marks a significant change in the PCB's leadership structure and is expected to bring fresh perspectives and strategic insights to the organisation.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his delight in welcoming Sumair to the team. He conveyed strong confidence in Sumair's abilities, emphasizing his belief that Sumair will be capable of managing the responsibilities effectively. Naqvi's comments reflect the board's optimism about Sumair's role and the contributions he will make moving forward.
“Sumair is an outstanding professional with proven administrative skills and deep industry knowledge. We are delighted to welcome him to the PCB family and are confident that under his leadership, we will continue to strengthen and improve our administrative structures, moving closer to our goal of becoming a model, high-performing organisation."
The PCB released an official statement where Sumair Ahmad Syed, the newly appointed COO, expressed his enthusiasm for his new role. He emphasised his lifelong passion for Pakistan cricket and his commitment to significantly contribute to the board.
“As a lifelong follower and supporter of Pakistan cricket, it is a profound honour for me to join this dynamic organisation as its Chief Operating Officer during these exciting and pivotal times. I am deeply grateful to the PCB Chairman and the Board of Governors for their trust and support. With the collaboration of my colleagues, I am eager to play a meaningful role here at PCB. This organisation holds tremendous potential and cricket serves as a unifying force for the people of Pakistan."
Team India won't travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025
The recent leadership changes within the PCB coincide with another big development in international cricket. As per a ESPNCricinfo report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that they will not be sending their team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to government restrictions.
As per the proposed schedule, the Champions Trophy 2025 is slated to be held from February 19 to March 9. However, with India's inability to participate in Pakistan, alternative venues are being considered to host their matches. Reports suggest that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka are potential options to accommodate India's matches in this prestigious tournament.
