The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, held in Dubai, has sparked controversy as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) voiced its frustration over being sidelined during the post-match presentation ceremony. Despite Pakistan being the official host of the tournament, no PCB representative was invited on stage, leaving cricketing legends and fans questioning the ICC’s actions.
According to reports, PCB’s Chief Executive Officer, Sumair Ahmed, attended the final in place of Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was unable to travel due to prior commitments. However, Sumair was not called to the stage during the ceremony, where ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCCI President Roger Binny, and Secretary Devajit Saikia presented the awards and trophies. The PCB has since expressed its disappointment and is expected to raise the issue with the ICC.
Former Pakistan cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Wasim Akram were among those who criticized the lack of PCB representation. Akhtar, in a video posted on social media, questioned why no PCB official was present to represent the host nation, calling it a missed opportunity on the global stage. Akram echoed similar sentiments, stating that it was imperative for Pakistan to have had a representative on stage, even if they were not directly involved in presenting the awards.
The Champions Trophy 2025 was a landmark event for Pakistan, marking the country’s first time hosting an ICC tournament in 29 years. However, the hybrid model of the competition saw five matches, including the final, being held in Dubai due to India’s refusal to play in Pakistan. This arrangement has further fueled tensions between the cricket boards of the two nations.
While the ICC has clarified that only top officials of the host nation are invited to participate in the ceremony, the PCB remains dissatisfied with the explanation. The incident has cast a shadow over what was otherwise a historic tournament, with India emerging victorious by defeating New Zealand in the final to claim their third Champions Trophy title.
As the cricketing world reflects on the tournament’s success, the controversy surrounding the closing ceremony highlights the need for better communication and coordination between the ICC and host nations in future events.
