Photo Credit: PCB
The exclusion of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 closing ceremony has been described as “administrative mismanagement” by PCB Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sumair Ahmad Syed. The absence of PCB representatives at the presentation ceremony, where medals and awards were handed to the winning and runner-up teams, sparked controversy. Instead, ICC Chief Jay Shah and officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took the stage.
Addressing the media at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, Sumair Ahmad Syed expressed his disappointment. “I was at the final of the ICC Champions Trophy as the chairman couldn’t attend. We asked the ICC for an explanation, but their response was unsatisfactory. Therefore, we have sought further clarity. At this point, I would call it administrative mismanagement on the ICC’s part—and everyone knows who is behind it,” he stated.
The situation drew criticism from former cricketers, including Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar, who questioned the absence of PCB officials. Akram found it “odd” that no representative from the host nation was on stage during such a significant event.
As criticism mounted, the ICC responded following a request for clarification from Geo News.
“Mr. Naqvi was unavailable and did not travel to Dubai for the final,” an ICC spokesperson confirmed. “The ICC only invites the head of the host board—such as the president, vice president, chairman, or CEO—to participate in the awards ceremony. Other board officials, even if present at the venue, are not part of the stage proceedings,” the spokesperson explained.
Meanwhile, on the field, India secured victory in the final, successfully chasing New Zealand’s target of 252 runs with six wickets and six balls to spare. Captain Rohit Sharma led the charge with a crucial half-century. New Zealand had earlier posted 251 runs, with Daryl Mitchell anchoring the innings with a resilient half-century.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
