India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 by defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. As the players received their accolades, ICC chairman Jay Shah, BCCI president Roger Binny, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, and NZC director Roger Twose stood on the podium. However, no Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) representative was present, which sparked controversy.

PCB Officials Missing from Ceremony

Despite Pakistan being the official tournament host, no PCB official was on stage during the trophy presentation. PCB chief operating officer Sumair Ahmed, who was also the tournament director, was in Dubai. However, he did not receive an invitation to the podium. According to Telecom Asia Sport, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi did not attend due to his responsibilities as Pakistan’s interior minister. Earlier, he informed the ICC that he was busy with a joint parliamentary session in Islamabad, where President Asif Ali Zardari was delivering an address.

Shoaib Akhtar Questions PCB’s Absence

Meanwhile, former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar voiced his disappointment over PCB’s absence. Expressing his frustration on social media, he emphasized that Pakistan, as the tournament host, should have had a representative on stage. "India has won the ICC Champions Trophy today but I noticed something strange. Pakistan were the hosts in the tournament but there were no Pakistan Cricket Board representatives here (at the trophy presentation). This is beyond my understanding. Why was there no one to represent us and give the trophy? Please think about it, it's a world stage but sadly I could not see any PCB members. Feeling very down to see that," Akhtar said in a video on X (formerly Twitter).

This is literally beyond my understanding.
How can this be done???#championstrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/CPIUgevFj9

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) March 9, 2025

Possible Misinterpretation in India

Furthermore, some former Pakistan players believe Naqvi’s absence might send the wrong message to India. They argue that it could be seen as PCB deliberately avoiding the event because India reached the final and won the title.

Pakistan’s Disappointing Performance

On the other hand, Pakistan’s performance in the tournament was disappointing. Hosting its first ICC event in 29 years, the team failed to progress beyond the group stage. After suffering defeats to New Zealand and India, they were eliminated early.

ICC Controls Podium Selections

According to reports, the ICC decides who stands on the podium during the presentation ceremony. Although PCB’s Sumair Ahmed was present in Dubai, he was not invited to join the official stage. Overall, this incident has raised concerns among fans and former players, who now question why PCB failed to represent Pakistan on such a major occasion.