The PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) intends to lodge a formal complaint with the ICC (International Cricket Council), alleging that its CEO and tournament director, Sumair Ahmed Syed, was ‘ignored’ during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Champions Trophy, held on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
After India clinched victory against Pakistan in the final by four wickets, the stage was occupied by Roger Binny, the BCCI President; Davajit Saikia, the BCCI Secretary; ICC Chairman Jay Shah; and Roger Twose, the CEO of New Zealand Cricket. While Binny handed out the customary white jackets to the Indian team and medals to the match officials, Shah presented the trophy to skipper Rohit Sharma and medals to the winners.
“The ICC, apparently, has said it had prepared for (PCB Chairman) Mohsin Naqvi to be on stage so when he didn’t show up for the final, they changed their plan,” a PCB source quoted PTI.
The report stated that Naqvi was preoccupied with political commitments, and he was not happy with the ICC’s explanation for not having Ahmed on stage. The board is reportedly dissatisfied with what it views as numerous blunders committed by the ICC in connection with the tournament, which was co-hosted by Pakistan in a hybrid format.
These included changing of the CT2025 logo, failing to mention Pakistan in the live broadcast feed of India versus Bangladesh game, and playing Indian national anthem during the Australia versus England match in Lahore.
Fast-bowling legend Shoaib Akhtar also termed it “strange.”
“India won the Champions Trophy, although I observed something strange. Nobody was representing the Pakistan Cricket Board (P) presentation ceremony during the tournament. It was hosted by Pakistan, and there stood nobody in representation of Pakistan. I cannot understand. Why no-one from the PCB was there to represent Pakistan and handover the trophy? It is beyond me; just giving you something to think about.” Akhtar said as he shared a clip through his official handle on X.
“An international platform nobody cared much for considering. I am sad that I couldn’t see a PCB representative there. Presented it, yet no one from them was there. Think about this one. Quite a hits-a-downer in my book.
