Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB Chairman, was set to participate in the Champions Trophy final presentation.. However, the host board reported that he was unwell and unable to travel to Dubai.
PCB Seeks Explanation from ICC
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has demanded an explanation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for excluding Champions Trophy 2025 tournament director Sumair Ahmed from the post-final presentation ceremony in Dubai on Sunday
Sumair Ahmed’s Role and Exclusion
Sumair Ahmed, who also serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of PCB, attended the India vs New Zealand final in his official capacity as the tournament director and Pakistan’s representative. Although the Pakistan Cricket Board designated Pakistan as the tournament host, the organizers did not include him in the ceremony, raising concerns within the PCB.
Following India’s victory over New Zealand, four officials participated in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final presentation ceremony:
Jay Shah (ICC Chair)
Roger Binny (BCCI President)
Devajit Saikia (BCCI Secretary)
Roger Twose (New Zealand Cricket Director)
Surprisingly, no representative from the PCB was present at the event, despite Pakistan being the official host.
PCB Questions BCCI’s Double Representation
The Pakistan Cricket Board expressed confusion over the presence of Devajit Saikia, as Roger Binny was already representing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, the PCB’s main concern was the absence of a host nation representative, which they believe violated traditional post-tournament protocol.
“Initially, the organizers expected PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to take part in the Champions Trophy 2025 final presentation ceremony. However, due to health issues, he was unable to travel to Dubai. The Pakistan Cricket Board expected Sumair Ahmed to step in as Pakistan’s official representative but was surprised when the organizers excluded him from the event.
A Growing Cricket Tournament Controversy
This incident has fueled cricket tournament controversies, with the Pakistan Cricket Board demanding answers from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 organizers. The PCB has pointed out that it is customary for the host nation’s officials to be present during such events, making Sumair Ahmed’s exclusion a serious concern.
By raising these issues, the PCB aims to ensure fair representation in global cricket events and avoid future discrepancies in major tournaments like the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did not formally notify the International Cricket Council (ICC) about Sumair Ahmed replacing Mohsin Naqvi on the podium, the PCB believes the responsibility lay with the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 organizers to seek clarification regarding the host nation’s representation.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has expressed frustration that no ICC representative contacted them at any point during the India vs New Zealand final to confirm Pakistan’s presence in the post-match presentation ceremony. Given that Pakistan was the official host of the Champions Trophy 2025, the PCB expected proactive communication from the ICC regarding who would represent Pakistan on the podium.
ICC Yet to Provide an Explanation
A senior PCB official confirmed that the International Cricket Council has not yet responded to their concerns regarding the presentation snub. The board is still waiting for an official explanation from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 organizers. However, as of now, the governing body has not made any public statement regarding the cricket tournament controversy surrounding Pakistan Cricket Board’s exclusion from the Champions Trophy 2025 final presentation ceremony.
This incident has added to the growing tension between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council, with calls for greater transparency and fairness in major ICC tournaments.
Pakistan-India Agreement Led to Dubai Hosting of Champions Trophy 2025 Final
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) agreed to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai. Initially, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi aimed to stage the entire tournament in Pakistan, marking the country’s first ICC event since 1996. However, due to the Indian government’s refusal to grant its team permission to travel to Pakistan, the BCCI and PCB negotiated a compromise. Under this arrangement, India played all their matches in Dubai, while future ICC tournaments hosted by either country over the next three years will see the opposing side compete at a neutral venue.
This marks the third instance in the tournament where the Pakistan Cricket Board has formally asked the ICC for an explanation regarding incidents they believe have undermined Pakistan’s role as the official host of the Champions Trophy 2025.
Pakistan’s Name Omitted from Official Broadcast Logo
During the India vs Bangladesh match in Dubai, Pakistan’s name was missing from the official broadcast logo of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This omission led to outrage within the PCB, which demanded an official explanation from the ICC over the apparent oversight. The following day, during the Australia vs England match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, officials mistakenly played the Indian national anthem instead of Australia’s anthem before the match, sparking controversy
ICC’s Response to PCB’s Concerns
“The ICC later claimed an ‘error’ caused the missing broadcast logo and labeled the anthem mix-up as a ‘DJ error.’ However, the Pakistan Cricket Board squarely blamed the ICC, asserting that the global governing body bore responsibility for preparing and distributing the official anthem playlist for all ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches.
These incidents have further fueled cricket tournament controversies, intensifying the already strained relationship between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the ICC. As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 progresses, the PCB continues to demand greater accountability and fair treatment as the tournament’s host nation.
