ICC Champions Trophy 2025Cricket NewsICC Champions TrophyICC Cricket newsICC TournamentsIndia vs PakistanSports Controversy
Champions Trophy 2025 Final: Pakistan’s Absence from Podium Raises Questions
India Lifts Champions Trophy 2025 Amid Controversy
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy concluded at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) with India emerging victorious. However, the post-match celebrations took an unexpected turn as concerns arose regarding Pakistan’s absence from the podium during the presentation ceremony.
Shoaib Akhtar Questions PCB’s Absence
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar expressed his concerns on social media regarding the lack of a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) representative at the awards ceremony.
“India have won the Champions Trophy, but I noticed something rather strange. There wasn’t a single representative from the PCB on the podium, even though Pakistan was the host of the tournament. I can’t understand why no one was there to represent the country. It’s beyond me to even think about. There should have been someone on this world stage. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any PCB members out there,” said Akhtar in a video posted online.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s Absence Raises Eyebrows
Despite Pakistan officially hosting the tournament, no elected PCB members were present at the stadium for the final match and presentation ceremony. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi did not travel to Dubai for the event, leading to speculation about the reasons behind his absence.
PCB’s Representative Not Allowed on the Podium
The PCB did send Sumair Ahmed, the tournament director for the Pakistan leg of the competition, as their representative. However, he was not allowed on the podium due to official protocols that restrict non-elected members from taking part in the presentation ceremony.
The podium was occupied by top cricketing officials, including:
-
Jay Shah (ICC Chair)
-
Roger Binny (BCCI President)
-
Devajit Saikia (BCCI Secretary)
-
Roger Twose (New Zealand Cricket Director)
Additionally, Andre Russell, the tournament director for the Dubai leg, was also not included on the podium, further reinforcing the strict protocols.
Pakistan Fans and Experts Express Disappointment
The absence of a PCB official on the podium disappointed many Pakistan fans and cricket experts. Given that Pakistan was the official host of the tournament, they expected a PCB member to be present during the ceremony.
Cricket analysts believe that the situation could have been avoided had an elected member of the PCB attended the final. The decision not to travel to Dubai has sparked debates over the administration’s handling of the event and its representation on the global stage.
A Learning Experience for Future Events
While the Champions Trophy 2025 ended on a high note for India, the controversy surrounding Pakistan’s absence from the podium remains a significant talking point. Moving forward, clearer communication and protocol adjustments may be required to ensure that hosting nations are adequately represented at major ICC events.
Related Article: Champions Trophy 2025
