ICC CEO steps down before ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The international cricket governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), is in a big shake-up, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Geoff Allardice has stepped down. This big decision has come just before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is less than a month away to begin.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 was completely messed up by the ICC, which was hosted by the West Indies and the United States. Also, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 progression is far away from setting up a strong statement. According to media reports, the ICC is under pressure for poor handling of the recent global tournaments, which is huge for its stakeholders, including the broadcasters. 

In such a pressure moment, Geoff Allardice has stepped down from the CEO role of the ICC. The governing body has confirmed this news on Tuesday (January 28). After serving the role for eight months as an acting member, he was appointed to the role in November 2021. 

See Also: Jasprit Bumrah Honored as ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2024

I am confident that cricket has exciting times ahead: Geoff Allardice

At his step down, Allardice said, "It has been a privilege to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council and I am incredibly proud of the results we have achieved, from enhancing the global reach of cricket to the commercial foundation put in place for ICC Members.

"I'd like to thank the ICC Chair, the board of directors and entire cricket community for their support and collaboration over the past 13 years. I believe this is the right time for me to step down and pursue new challenges. I am confident that cricket has exciting times ahead, and I wish the ICC and the global cricket community every success in the future."

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is facing huge blocks

Pakistan has the hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where eight teams will participate, including the hosts Pakistan. Due to India's refusal to travel to Pakistan, they will play all their matches in the tournament in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will run between February 19 and March 9.

The fixtures of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 were continuously delayed, while Pakistan's stadiums for the tournament are still a work in progress. Although the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has assured to provide the best arrangements for the tournament, including security, there are still some doubts about the completion of the remaining works before the beginning of the tournament.