No Pakistan Official on the Podium: India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 by defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. However, the post-match presentation ceremony sparked controversy as no representative from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the official hosts of the tournament, was present on the podium. This led to criticism from former cricketers and fans, questioning why Pakistan was not represented during the prestigious moment.
Why Was No Pakistan Official on the Podium During the Ceremony?
Despite Pakistan being the official host of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, no PCB official was present on the podium when the Indian team lifted the trophy. Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar raised concerns on social media, saying it was disappointing to see no PCB member at the ceremony. He stated that as hosts, Pakistan should have had someone on stage to represent their country.
Reports suggest that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi did not attend the final due to his commitments as the Interior Minister of Pakistan. In his absence, PCB sent Sumair Ahmed, the tournament director for the Pakistan leg of the event. However, according to ICC protocols, only elected office bearers or directors were allowed on the podium. Since Ahmed was an employee and not an elected PCB official, he was not invited onto the stage.
ICC Clarifies PCB’s Absence
The ICC later clarified the situation, stating that only office bearers from cricket boards were permitted on the stage during the trophy presentation. Since no elected official from PCB was present, there was no one eligible to represent Pakistan at the ceremony. An ICC spokesperson said that as hosts, PCB should have ensured the presence of an eligible representative.
This explanation did not satisfy many cricket fans and analysts, who argued that better coordination between PCB and ICC could have prevented this situation. There were also claims of a communication gap, as PCB officials reportedly expected Sumair Ahmed to be called on stage.
Controversy Over India Playing All Matches in Dubai
Apart from the presentation controversy, critics pointed out another issue during the tournament. The Indian team played all five of their matches in Dubai, while other teams, including Pakistan, had to travel between venues. Some argued that this gave India an advantage as they became familiar with the pitch and playing conditions at one location.
PCB Plans to Raise the Issue with ICC
The PCB is now expected to take up the issue with ICC, questioning why their representative was not included in the closing ceremony. Many in Pakistan’s cricketing community feel that this was an oversight that should have been avoided, especially given that Pakistan was the official host of the tournament. They believe that the absence of PCB on such a global stage was a major embarrassment and should not happen again in future tournaments.
Conclusion
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 ended with India lifting the trophy, but the absence of Pakistan’s representation at the final ceremony has led to a heated debate. While the ICC has provided an explanation, many in the cricketing world believe better communication and planning could have avoided this controversy. With PCB expected to raise the issue with ICC, it remains to be seen how this matter will be addressed in the coming weeks.
