DUBAI: The ICC Champions Trophy cricket tournament, hosted by Pakistan, is just days away from starting. However, the construction of several stadiums where international matches will take place, including the matches of Australia and England, has not yet been completed. Amidst these concerns, International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Geoff Allardice has stepped down. Reports suggest that Geoff resigned from the post due to his failure to present a clear picture of the lapses on the part of Pakistan in preparing the stadiums for the matches.
Geoff Allardice, an Australian, previously played domestic cricket for Victoria before joining the ICC in 2012 as the General Manager of Cricket. He also served as the Operations Manager for Australian Cricket. Geoff took over as ICC CEO in November 2021. He had served as acting CEO for eight months following the departure of Danny Morrison, before being appointed CEO.
The ICC has not officially disclosed the reason for Geoff Allardice’s resignation. However, sources indicate that dissatisfaction had been brewing within the organization, especially after the financial mismanagement during the T20 World Cup held in the USA. Reports suggest that the ICC incurred unexpected losses due to overspending on stadiums, which may have contributed to Allardice’s exit.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s preparedness for the Champions Trophy remains uncertain, as key venues in Karachi and Rawalpindi are still only partially constructed. Doubts persist over whether Pakistan can complete the necessary arrangements in time to host this prestigious global tournament.
Despite his resignation, ICC Chairman Jay Shah praised Allardice’s contributions, stating that his efforts had significantly impacted cricket on a global scale.