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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 concluded with India defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 9. However, a controversy erupted as no official from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was present on the podium during the closing ceremony, despite Pakistan being the designated host of the tournament.
The absence of a PCB representative on the stage sparked disappointment within Pakistan’s cricketing circles. Now, as per a report by PTI, the PCB is set to lodge a protest with the ICC over the snub, particularly regarding CEO and Champions Trophy tournament director Sumair Ahmed Syed being overlooked.
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PCB Unhappy With ICC’s Explanation
According to sources within the PCB, chairman Mohsin Naqvi is not satisfied with the ICC’s justification for the incident.
“The ICC, apparently, has said it had prepared for Mohsin Naqvi to be on stage. So when he didn’t show up for the final, they changed their plan,” a PCB source told PTI.
However, the Pakistan board has rejected this explanation, pointing out that the ICC had made several errors throughout the tournament regarding Pakistan’s status as the host nation.
These included:
✅ Changing the CT2025 logo during the live broadcast of the India vs. Bangladesh match.
✅ Accidentally playing the Indian national anthem before the Australia vs. England match in Lahore.
The ICC later clarified that the anthem issue was due to a playlist mix-up and was corrected within seconds.
No PCB Representation on the Podium
During the presentation ceremony, ICC Chairman Jay Shah handed the Champions Trophy to Rohit Sharma, while BCCI President Roger Binny presented the champions’ white blazers. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia and New Zealand Cricket CEO Roger Twose were also on stage.
Despite being the official hosts, no PCB official was included in the ceremony, further fueling frustrations within Pakistan’s cricketing circles.
PCB Chief Thanks Stakeholders for Champions Trophy Success
Meanwhile, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi took to social media to express gratitude to those who contributed to the successful hosting of the Champions Trophy.
“Your commitment and collective efforts ensured the seamless execution of the prestigious tournament,” Naqvi wrote on social media.
“Pakistan takes immense pride in hosting the Champions Trophy and making it a spectacle for cricket fans worldwide.”
With tensions simmering between the PCB and ICC, it remains to be seen how the governing body will respond to Pakistan’s formal protest.
