PCB Furious Over ICC Snub at Champions Trophy Ceremony, Rejects Explanation

The PCB is set to formally protest the ICC’s exclusion of its CEO from the Champions Trophy 2025 closing ceremony, citing multiple instances of Pakistan being sidelined during the tournament.

March 11, 2025: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing to lodge a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the exclusion of its CEO and tournament director, Sumair Ahmed Syed, from the Champions Trophy 2025 closing ceremony. The issue has sparked fresh controversy, with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressing dissatisfaction with the ICC’s explanation.

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According to PCB sources, the ICC claimed that it had originally planned for Naqvi to be present on stage during the awards ceremony but adjusted their plans when he did not attend the final in Dubai. However, the PCB has rejected this justification, citing several instances where Pakistan’s role as the official host was downplayed during the tournament.

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🏏 Repeated Snubs: PCB Lists ICC Errors

The PCB has also highlighted multiple instances where Pakistan was overlooked during the tournament:
🔹 The CT 2025 logo was removed from the live broadcast feed during the India vs. Bangladesh match.
🔹 The Indian national anthem was mistakenly played during the Australia vs. England match in Lahore, with the ICC attributing the incident to a playlist mix-up.

🏆 India Crowned Champions Amid Controversy

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India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the final, securing their third Champions Trophy title. However, the closing ceremony stirred controversy as no PCB representative was invited on stage.

During the ceremony:
✅ BCCI President Roger Binny presented the white jackets to the Indian players.
✅ ICC Chairman Jay Shah handed over the trophy to Rohit Sharma and distributed medals to the winners.
✅ BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia and New Zealand Cricket CEO Roger Twose were also part of the presentation.

📢 PCB Chairman’s Response

Despite the controversy, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi extended his appreciation to Pakistan’s security forces, ICC officials, and the participating teams for successfully executing the tournament.

🗣 “Your commitment and collective efforts ensured the seamless execution of the prestigious tournament,” Naqvi said on social media.

He further added, “Pakistan takes immense pride in hosting the Champions Trophy and making it a spectacle for cricket fans worldwide.”

As the row escalates, the PCB is expected to take up the matter with the ICC in the coming days.