New Delhi: The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy concluded with a victory for India, but the celebration was overshadowed by a glaring absence: no representative from the host nation, Pakistan, was present at the presentation ceremony. This unexpected turn of events has ignited a heated debate about the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) handling of the event. Former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar voiced his disappointment, highlighting the significance of host nation representation in such ceremonies.
The main controversy revolves around the ICC’s decision not to invite any Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official onto the stage. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was unable to attend due to prior commitments, but the board’s CEO, Sumair Ahmed, was present in Dubai yet not invited to participate in the ceremony. The event was attended by prominent figures such as ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCCI President Roger Binny, and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia.
India’s participation in the tournament was facilitated through a hybrid model, with all their matches held in Dubai, following their refusal to play in Pakistan due to security concerns. The PCB is expected to address this issue with the ICC, questioning why their officials were not included in the ceremony. This absence has been perceived as a snub, raising broader concerns about Pakistan’s role in international cricket.
The tournament marked a significant return of major ICC events to Pakistan after 29 years, but the final was shifted to Dubai due to India’s participation. The lack of representation from the host nation has sparked discussions about the ICC’s organizational decisions and the implications for Pakistan’s cricketing legacy.
