ICC clarifies absence of PCB officials from Champions Trophy 2025 final ceremony

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has clarified the absence of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials during the Champions Trophy 2025 final ceremony, which took place here on Sunday.

An ICC spokesperson explained that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was the official representative of the host board, had been invited to attend the ceremony but was unable to attend.

“Mr. Naqvi was unavailable and did not travel to Dubai for the final,” the spokesperson stated.

The apex cricketing body further emphasized its long-standing protocol regarding such events while responding to the criticism about the lack of Pakistani representation on stage.

The spokesperson outlined that, according to ICC procedures, only the head of the host board—whether it be the president, vice president, chairman, or CEO—is invited to be part of the awards ceremony.

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Other board officials, even if they are present at the venue, are not included in the stage proceedings.

The absence of PCB officials on stage was therefore due to the fact that the board’s designated representative did not attend, with the protocol being followed as per the ICC’s established practices.

However, sources within the PCB have revealed that the board plans to raise the matter with the ICC.

The PCB intends to formally inquire why its CEO, Sumair Ahmad Syed, who was present in Dubai as the director of the Champions Trophy 2025, was not invited to the ceremony.

“It is concerning that Pakistan was not given representation at the closing ceremony despite the presence of a key PCB official in Dubai,” a source close to the PCB said.

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