Just weeks before the commencement of theInternational Cricket Council(ICC) Champions Trophy, the Board CEO, Geoff Allardice, has decided to step down from his office.

Recently, a board member indicated that his failure to present a clear picture of host Pakistans lack of preparedness is among one of the multiple reasons behind this move.

Who is Geoff Allardice?

Prior to his role in ICC, he served as Cricket Operations Manager in Cricket Australia. He took office as CEO of the ICC in November 2021, after serving as the acting CEO for eight months.

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, Allardice said in a statement.

I believe this is the right time for me to step down and pursue new challenges, he added.

ICC Champions Trophy Behind Allardices Resignation?

Meanwhile, the official ICC statement made no mention of the exact reasons for Allardices stepping down from his position, but a top source revealed that this development has been building up for a while.

About ICC Champions Trophy

Additionally, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place fromFebruary 19 to March 9, 2025. The tournament was initially hosted in Pakistan. However, amid the security concerns, theBCCIand Indian cricketers refused to play matches, leading to matches being scheduled in Dubai, UAE.

However, the readiness of the venues in Karachi and Rawalpindi is a significant concern for the ICC. The renovation work at these stadiums has faced delays, and the images coming in do does not paint a very positive picture.

ICC Chair Jay Shah Commends Allardices Contributions

Following Geoff Allardice announcing his retirement, the ICC Chair,Jay Shah, appreciated his contributions to the game during his tenure.

His efforts have played a key role in advancing cricket globally. We are truly grateful for his service and wish him all the very best for his future endeavors, he said.

ICC Looking for Allardices Successor

The ICC Board will now begin to look forward to Allardices successor. His departure continues the exodus of former chair Greg Barclay’s team from the ICC.