The International Cricket Council (ICC) has provided clarity on the absence of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials during the presentation ceremony of the 2025 Champions Trophy final in Dubai. Many fans and experts were puzzled by the lack of PCB representation on the podium, especially since Pakistan was the designated host of the tournament.
An ICC spokesperson explained that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi was unavailable and did not travel to Dubai for the final. In his absence, PCB COO and tournament director Sumair Ahmad Syed attended the summit clash. However, Syed was not invited to the stage during the presentation or prize distribution ceremony. The spokesperson stated (as quoted by Times of India):
“Mr. Naqvi was unavailable and did not travel to Dubai for the final. The ICC only invites the head of the host board, such as the president, vice president, chairman, or CEO, to participate in the awards ceremony. Other board officials, even if present at the venue, are not part of the stage proceedings.”
India emerged victorious in the final, defeating New Zealand by four wickets. Skipper Rohit Sharma received the coveted trophy from ICC chairman Jay Shah, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president presented white blazers to the winning team members.
Pakistan was the official host of the 2025 Champions Trophy. However, all of India’s matches were held in Dubai after the BCCI refused to send its team to Pakistan due to security concerns.
“We hosted the tournament, yet there was nobody there” – Shoaib Akhtar Expresses Disappointment Over PCB’s Absence
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar expressed his dissatisfaction over the absence of PCB officials during the presentation ceremony of the 2025 Champions Trophy final. In a video shared on social media, Akhtar highlighted the significance of the event and lamented the lack of representation from the host nation. He said (as quoted by Hindustan Times):
“India has won the ICC Champions Trophy. There was one odd thing: no one from the Pakistan Cricket Board during the presentation ceremony. Pakistan is the host of the Champions Trophy, but there was no representative of Pakistan who stood on the stage. No one was there to present the trophy. It is beyond me.”
“Think about it. It was the world stage; you should have been there, but sadly, I could not see any Pakistan Cricket Board member there. We hosted the tournament, yet there was nobody there. Feeling very down to see that.”
Pakistan had a disappointing campaign in the tournament, finishing at the bottom of Group A and exiting in the group stage.
Edited by Vaishnavi Iyer
