Tensions between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) have escalated following the Champions Trophy closing ceremony in Dubai, with the PCB expressing strong dissatisfaction over the absence of its officials on stage during the presentation. The board is now reportedly preparing to lodge a formal protest, rejecting the ICC’s explanation for the apparent oversight.
According to PCB insiders, the ICC had initially planned for PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to be part of the ceremony, as Pakistan was the official host of the tournament. However, when he did not travel for the final, the ICC reportedly adjusted its plans—an explanation the PCB has dismissed as unsatisfactory. The board is particularly displeased that Sumair Ahmed Syed, PCB’s CEO and the tournament director, was also left out of the presentation proceedings.
Instead, it was BCCI president Roger Binny who presented the white jackets to the Indian players, while ICC chairman Jay Shah handed the trophy to captain Rohit Sharma and distributed winners’ medals—completely overlooking PCB officials. Even BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and New Zealand Cricket CEO Roger Twose were present on stage for the Champions Trophy closing ceremony, yet no representative from Pakistan was included—a fact former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar also pointed out.
The PCB’s frustration isn’t limited to the closing ceremony alone. The board has highlighted a series of missteps throughout the tournament that, in its view, undermined Pakistan’s role as the official host. These included the removal of the Champions Trophy 2025 logo during the live broadcast of the India vs. Bangladesh match and an embarrassing mix-up during the Australia vs. England game in Lahore, where the Indian national anthem mistakenly played for a few seconds before the error was corrected.
While the tournament has concluded, tensions between the PCB and ICC remain, with Pakistan seeking clarity and accountability over what it perceives as a disregard for its hosting rights. Whether this will affect future dealings between the two organizations remains to be seen.
