ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final: Why was there no Pakistan represenation in post-match ceremony?

The absence of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials from the post-match presentation ceremony after the final of the Champions Trophy 2025, in Dubai on Sunday, raised a few eyebrows.

Though Pakistan was the host of the tournament, none of its office-bearers were on stage for the ceremony as the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) president Roger Binny presented the white jackets to India and the medals to match officials.

The ICC (International Cricket Council) chairman Jay Shah handed the trophy to Rohit Sharma and gave the medals to the Indian players.

India’s captain Rohit Sharma receives the winners trophy from ICC Chairman Jay Shah during the presentation ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy.
| Photo Credit:
AP

Several former Pakistan cricketers, including Shoaib Akhtar, questioned the absence of PCB officials while the ceremony went ahead in the presence of Jay and the ICC Board directors – Devajit Saikia, Roger Twose and Binny.

Sportstar understands that PCB’s Chief Operating Officer and the tournament’s director, Sumair Ahmad Syed was present at the venue.

However, sources suggested that following the traditions of the ICC events, “usually the directors and the office-bearers are only preferred on stage for the presentation ceremony events”.

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“Since it’s a global event, it’s the ICC’s prerogative to decide who goes on stage. Had the PCB chairman been present, he would have definitely been there as the head of the host nation. But in his absence, the other directors did the honours,” a well-placed source, aware of the development, said.

Despite Pakistan hosting a global event after nearly three decades, India’s matches were played at a neutral venue in Dubai as it had refused to play its matches in Pakistan citing security concerns.