Champions Trophy 2025 Controversy : The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 closing ceremony has been the subject of a significant debate. During the closing ceremony, no Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official was called to the stage. Sources claim that Sumair Ahmed, the CEO of the PCB and the tournament’s director, attended the closing ceremony but was not given an invitation to the stage.Sumair Ahmed, the tournament director and PCB’s chief operational officer, was in Dubai, but he was not given a podium invitation.
The failure to send a single representative to the 2025 Champions Trophy final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, March 9, has brought the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) under scrutiny once more. Despite Pakistan being the host country, no PCB representative was on stage during the post-match presentation, which featured notable representatives of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and cricket boards after India defeated New Zealand by four wickets to win the trophy.
Champions Trophy! – What is at the heart of the controversy?
The issue is that Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB and Pakistan’s interior minister, was unable to visit Dubai because of his hectic schedule. The CEO was dispatched by the PCB to represent Pakistan for this reason. However, the only people on stage for the award ceremony were Secretary Devajit Saikia, BCCI Chairman Roger Binny, and ICC Chairman Jay Shah. The players received jackets, medals, and trophies. PCB officials were not invited to the platform, but other dignitaries, including former Australian captain Aaron Finch, were.
Champions Trophy! – On the podium, who was it?
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) director Roger Twose, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, BCCI president Roger Binny, and ICC chairman Jay Shah were on stage presenting awards at the event. However, Sumair Ahmed, the tournament director and PCB’s chief operational officer, was in Dubai and was not given a podium invitation.
Champions Trophy! – PCB will file a protest!
According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board is planning to protest against the ICC in this matter. However, sources are claiming that due to some reason or misunderstanding, the PCB official was not called to the podium. Perhaps the CEO could not communicate properly with the organizers of the closing ceremony of the event with the ICC officials and that is why he did not get a place in the award ceremony.
Champions Trophy! – Questions that Shoaib Akhtar brought up :
Shoaib Akhtar, a former fast bowler for Pakistan, however, also voiced his disapproval of this issue and posted a video on social media claiming that although India had won the Champions Trophy, no PCB official had attended the closing ceremony. Despite being the host, Pakistan did not send a delegate. There is a need to consider this issue because it is beyond my comprehension. Seeing this made me feel horrible.
Champions Trophy! – Why Was the Chairman of the PCB Absent?
According to a report by Telecom Asia Sport, Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB, was unable to travel to Dubai due to his formal responsibilities as Pakistan’s interior minister. He had previously told the ICC that he was occupied with a meeting of the united parliament in Islamabad, where President Asif Zardari would speak.
Champions Trophy! – Pakistan’s Poor Performance
Since it was Pakistan’s first home ICC tournament in 29 years, the 2025 Champions Trophy was a huge embarrassment. They had a dismal campaign, losing to both India and New Zealand and being eliminated in the group stage.
- Who Selects Visitors to the Podium?
The report states that choosing the dignitaries who stand at the platform is the responsibility of the ICC. More suspicions are raised regarding the PCB’s absence at this specific point in the tournament because, despite being in Dubai, PCB representative Sumair Ahmed was not included in the official list for the awards ceremony.