The International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Geoff Allardice has announced his resignation just weeks before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with a board member suggesting that his inability to provide a ‘clear picture’ of host Pakistan’s lack of preparedness is among several reasons for his departure. The 57-year-old, who joined the ICC in 2012 as General Manager of Cricket after serving as Cricket Operations Manager at Cricket Australia, was appointed CEO in November 2021 following an eight-month tenure as acting CEO.
Reflecting on his decision, Allardice said in a statement: “Serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council has been a privilege, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved—from expanding cricket’s global reach to strengthening the commercial foundations for ICC members.
“I believe this is the right time for me to step down and explore new challenges,” Allardice added.
ICC CEO Geoff Allardice has stepped down from his position !! – Reports suggest the poor playing conditions and financial issues with the T20 World Cup in US, and poor preparations in Pakistan for Champions Trophy led to it !! pic.twitter.com/LT4YAU4sRC
— Cricketism (@MidnightMusinng) January 29, 2025
While the ICC’s official announcement did not specify reasons for his resignation, a senior source indicated that the decision had been in the works for some time. “The ICC T20 World Cup in the US was a major letdown, both in terms of playing conditions and budget overruns. The financial auditing is still ongoing,” a board member was quoted as saying by PTI news agency on condition of anonymity.
“The tipping point was the Champions Trophy. As CEO, he was responsible for providing a clear assessment of Pakistan’s readiness to host such a major event,” the official added.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on February 19, with India scheduled to play its matches in Dubai due to security concerns in Pakistan. However, a greater concern for the ICC is the condition of key venues in Karachi and Rawalpindi, which remain partially under construction or under renovation. Recent images from these sites have raised doubts about their preparedness.
It remains uncertain whether Pakistan will be fully ready in time for the marquee event, which features the world’s top eight teams and is being held for the first time since 2017. Despite the circumstances surrounding his departure, ICC Chair Jay Shah expressed gratitude for Allardice’s contributions.
“On behalf of the ICC Board, I sincerely thank Geoff for his leadership and dedication during his tenure. His efforts have significantly advanced cricket globally. We appreciate his service and wish him the very best in his future endeavors,” Jay Shah said.
The ICC Board will now begin the process of selecting Allardice’s successor. His exit marks yet another high-profile departure from the ICC following the tenure of former chair Greg Barclay. Previously, Chris Tetley (Head of Events), Alex Marshall (Head of the Anti-Corruption Unit), and Claire Furlong (Head of Marketing and Media) also stepped down due to personal reasons.
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