PCB Officials Missing from Champions Trophy Awards Ceremony Sparks Controversy

Controversy erupted after the International Cricket Council (ICC) did not invite officials of the host Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on stage at the prize distribution ceremony of the Champions Trophy final held in Dubai on Sunday. A source said that PCB Chief Executive Officer Sumair Ahmed, who is also the tournament’s director, was present at the ground but was not invited to the ceremony.

The source said, ‘PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi could not go to Dubai as he had some engagements as Home Minister, but the PCB CEO was sent to represent Pakistan in the final and prize distribution.’ He said that for some reason or due to misunderstanding, he was not called on the stage by ICC President Jay Shah, BCCI President Roger Binny, and Secretary Devjit Saikia gave the players medals, trophies, and jackets.

There was no representative of host Pakistan on the stage. The PCB can raise this issue before the ICC. Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar also put up a video on X and said, ‘India won the Champions Trophy but there was no representative of PCB after the final. Pakistan was the host. I did not understand why no one from PCB was there.