By India secured the Champions Trophy 2025 title with a four-wicket win over New Zealand. The podium featured ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCCI President Roger Binny, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Director Roger Twose, sparking controversy.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is being heavily criticized for failing to have a single representative at Sunday’s final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, held at the Dubai International Stadium. PCB officials’ absence at the closing ceremony has raised questions among former players and fans, fueling speculation about the reasons behind it.
India clinched the title by defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final. However, the post-match presentation ceremony witnessed the absence of any PCB representatives, despite Pakistan being the official host of the tournament. Instead, the podium was shared by International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Roger Binny, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Director Roger Twose, who were responsible for handing out the awards and trophies to players.
PCB’s Absence Raises Eyebrows
While PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed, who also served as the tournament director, was present in Dubai, he was not invited to join the podium for the ceremony. According to a report by Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net), PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi did not attend the event due to his official duties as Pakistan’s Interior Minister. Naqvi had reportedly informed the ICC that he was engaged in a joint parliamentary session in Islamabad, where Pakistan’s President, Asif Ali Zardari, was scheduled to address the nation.
Despite this explanation, the lack of any PCB representation at a tournament that Pakistan was supposed to host has led to significant backlash, with many questioning whether it was an oversight or a deliberate move.
Shoaib Akhtar Expresses Disappointment
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was one of the most vocal critics of the situation. Taking to social media, he expressed his confusion and disappointment over the PCB’s absence from the final presentation.
“India has won the ICC Champions Trophy today, but I noticed something very unusual,” Akhtar said in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Pakistan was the host of this tournament, yet there were no PCB representatives at the trophy presentation. This is beyond my understanding. Why was there no one from Pakistan to represent us and present the trophy? Please think about it—this is a world stage, and yet, I saw no PCB officials. It’s a sad and disappointing sight.”
Former Players Weigh In
Several former Pakistan cricketers and analysts believe that PCB’s absence from the final ceremony may send the wrong message. Some speculate that it might be interpreted in India as a deliberate snub, suggesting that the PCB chairman chose not to attend because India had reached the final and ultimately won the tournament.
Others argue that, regardless of the reasons, PCB should have ensured its presence at such a significant event, especially given that Pakistan was officially designated as the host. The absence of Pakistani representation at a global ICC event has left many questioning the board’s professionalism and priorities.
A Tournament of Disappointment for Pakistan
The 2025 Champions Trophy was particularly significant for Pakistan, as it marked their first opportunity to host an ICC tournament in 29 years. However, Pakistan’s on-field performance was disappointing, as they were eliminated in the group stage after suffering defeats against New Zealand and arch-rivals India.
Adding to the controversy, reports indicate that it is the ICC that decides which dignitaries stand on the podium during the presentation ceremony. However, despite PCB representative Sumair Ahmed being present in Dubai, he was not invited to participate, raising further concerns about Pakistan’s role in the event’s final moments.The absence of PCB officials at the Champions Trophy final presentation has led to significant backlash from fans, former players, and analysts. While logistical and political reasons may have contributed to the situation, many believe that Pakistan missed an important opportunity to be represented at the highest level of international cricket.
