Pakistan Expected to Raise Formal Complaint Over Snub at Closing Ceremony
March 10, 2025: A controversy erupted following the Champions Trophy 2025 final, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was left unrepresented at the closing ceremony in Dubai. Reports suggest that PCB CEO Sumair Ahmed, who also served as the director of the tournament, was present at the venue but was not invited on stage for the trophy presentation.
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PCB’s Expected Response
Sources indicate that PCB is set to take up the matter with the ICC, demanding clarification on why its representative was excluded. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi could not attend due to ministerial commitments, but Sumair Ahmed was sent to represent Pakistan at the event.
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Shoaib Akhtar Questions ICC’s Decision
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar also voiced his concerns over PCB’s absence at the post-match presentation, questioning why a representative was not present.
“Pakistan was hosting the Champions Trophy. I do not understand why nobody from PCB was there to present the trophy. This is the world stage, you should have been here,” Akhtar said in a video message on X (formerly Twitter).
This is literally beyond my understanding.
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) March 9, 2025
How can this be done???#championstrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/CPIUgevFj9
ICC’s Presentation Lineup
- Jay Shah (ICC Chairman) – Presented the Champions Trophy to India’s captain, Rohit Sharma
- Roger Binny (BCCI President) – Handed out medals and white jackets
- Devajit Saikia (BCCI Secretary) – Also participated in the medal presentation
India’s Hybrid Model and PCB’s Concerns
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India had refused to play its matches in Pakistan citing security concerns, which led the PCB to adopt a hybrid model that allowed India to play all their games in Dubai.
With Pakistan missing from the final and their officials absent from the closing ceremony, the controversy has fueled tensions within the cricketing community, with PCB now looking for an explanation from ICC on the apparent oversight.
Tags: ICC, PCB, Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan Cricket Board, Jay Shah, Shoaib Akhtar, BCCI, Cricket Controversy