The absence of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials at the post-match presentation ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final on Sunday in Dubai sparked fresh controversy. 

Pakistan was the official host of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but India played all their matches in Dubai after the BCCI refused to send its team across the border due to security reasons. As a result, the final was held in Dubai, where India defeated New Zealand by four wickets.

Usually, in any ICC tournament final, representatives of the host board are among the dignitaries called to the podium to present the awards. Surprisingly, none of the PCB officials were present during the Champions Trophy 2025 final post-match presentation ceremony at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

Instead, the Champions Trophy 2025 final post-match presentation ceremony had BCCI President Roger Binny and Secretary Devajit Saikia, New Zealand Cricket Director Roger Twose and ICC Chairman Jay Shah, who handed out the medals, jackets and the trophy to the players.

However, according to a PTI report, PCB CEO and tournament director Sumair Ahmed was present at the stadium as the representative from the hist board but was not invited to the ceremony.

The report also claimed that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi didn’t travel to Dubai due to prior commitments. “PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi didn’t go to Dubai because of prior commitments as federal minister for interior, but the PCB CEO was sent to represent Pakistan at the final and closing presentation,” the source told the Indian news agency.

The source also added the PCB CEO wasn’t effectively communicated for the final presentation ceremony, leading to his exclusion. The PCB is likely to raise the matter with the International Cricket Council (ICC), said the report.

Massive uproar in Pakistani media

The development created a massive uproar among Pakistani journalists, who took to social media to express their disappointment and hint at a potential ICC basis. Notably, Jay Shah previously served as a BCCI secretary before becoming ICC chairman.

“BCCI President Roger Binny and Secretary Devajit Saikia were on stage at the Champions Trophy final presentation. Roger Twose was there, too. Yet, no one from the host PCB was included – despite PCB COO Sumair Ahmed Syed being present at the stadium. A deliberate snub by the ICC?” asked a Pakistani journalist.

Another media person said the Pakistan cricket fraternity was unhappy with the snub. “PCB hosted Champions Trophy, but no representation from PCB in the presentation ceremony of CT is a big question mark. Indeed cricket fraternity in Pakistan is unhappy with the final of CT held not in Pakistan,” he said.