Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has expressed worries over the lack of officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) present at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 presentation ceremony in Dubai on Sunday. Dubai Sunday
India won their third title by defeating New Zealand, therefore ending the event. Akram said in a recent interview that it was “odd” that no official from the key host country was on stage.
“Based on what I know, the chairman wasn’t feeling great, but Sumair Ahmad and Usman Wahla were present for the final. Though neither of them showed up on stage, these two were present.
Still challenging the circumstances, he said, “The question now is, weren’t we the hosts? How could it be that any official representing the chairman—including the COO of the Pakistan Cricket Board—was absent on stage? Was he left off the invitation? Though I’m not sure the whole tale, I found it strange viewing. Having a Pakistani delegate on stage was absolutely vital. Someone should have been there even if they omitted showing the cup or medals.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has meantime taken care of issues about the lack of PCB personnel.
An ICC spokesman stated that although invited to the event, Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB Management Committee and assigned host board delegate, did not show up. The spokesman confirmed: “Mr. Naqvi was unavailable and did not travel to Dubai for the final.
Reacting to criticism on the dearth of Pakistani performers on stage, the ICC reaffirmed its accepted procedures for award presentations.
“The ICC only asks the leader of the host board—that is, the president, vice president, chairman, or CEO—to take part in the awards ceremony. Even if they are present at the location, other board officials are not involved in the stage events, the spokesman clarified.
