Wasim Akram stunned, PCB outraged as ICC completely overlooks Pakistan in Champions Trophy ceremony

Wasim Akram Stunned as ICC Overlooks PCB in Champions Trophy Ceremony

Despite Pakistan cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar questioning the absence of a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) representative during the Champions Trophy presentation ceremony, the PCB did send an official for the closing ceremony in Dubai. However, the ICC completely ignored the representative, leaving the Pakistani board outraged.

According to a PTI report, a source confirmed that PCB’s Chief Executive Officer, Sumair Ahmed—who also served as the tournament director—was present at the Dubai International Stadium for the final between India and New Zealand. He was there on behalf of PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi but was not invited onto the stage during the trophy presentation. Instead, ICC Chairman Jay Shah, along with BCCI President Roger Binny and Secretary Devajit Saikia, distributed the medals, trophies, and jackets to the players.

"PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was unable to attend due to prior commitments as the federal minister for interior, so the PCB CEO was sent as Pakistan’s representative for the final and closing ceremony," the source stated.

The source further suggested that the snub may have been due to a misunderstanding on the ICC’s part, possibly because the PCB official failed to communicate his presence effectively to the event organizers. However, PCB, angered by the situation, is expected to raise the matter with the ICC, seeking clarification on why its CEO was not invited onto the stage.

Akram and Akhtar Question PCB's Absence

The 2025 Champions Trophy was a landmark event for Pakistan, marking the country’s first time hosting an ICC tournament in 29 years. Although five out of the 15 matches, including the final, were held in Dubai under a hybrid model, Pakistan was still the official host.

The absence of PCB officials from the post-match presentation ceremony left Shoaib Akhtar perplexed. In a video posted on social media, he remarked:

"India has won the Champions Trophy, but I noticed there was no PCB representative after the final. Pakistan was the official host—why was nobody there to present the trophy? It’s beyond me. This is the world stage, and we should have been represented. I feel very disappointed."

Wasim Akram echoed similar sentiments on the Dressing Room show. Aware that Sumair Ahmed had replaced Naqvi for the final, Akram was shocked not to see him on stage during the closing ceremony.

"As far as I know, Chairman Saab (Mohsin Naqvi) wasn’t well, but PCB representatives Sumair Ahmad Syed (COO) and Usman Wahla (Director of International) were present. Yet, none of them appeared on stage," Akram stated.

"We were the hosts, right? How come even the COO or the official representing the chairman wasn’t on stage? Were they not invited? I don’t know the full story, but it certainly looked odd. Someone from Pakistan should have been present on that stage—even if they weren’t handing out the cup or medals," he added.