Champions Trophy 2025: Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar lament the lack of PCB representatives during the presentation

In a thrilling final match against New Zealand, India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, despite Pakistan being the tournament’s official host country, there was an unexpected controversy when no PCB representatives attended the final match or the post-match presentation ceremony. Cricket players, including former Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar, took issue with the PCB officials’ absence.

“ICC Champions Trophy Hindustan ne jeet gayi hai, ek ajeeb se cheez mene dekhi hai ki Pakistan Cricket Board ka koi numaynda yaha khada nahi tha,” Akhtar wrote in a video that he shared on Twitter.

Pakistan is the host of the Champions Trophy, and they are also the country’s closest rivals. It is beyond my scope, so please consider it. Ye baat meri samjh se bahar hai, koi represent karne kyu nahi aaya trophy aur dene yahan par kyu nahi aaya. Unfortunately, I was unable to spot any members of the Pakistan Cricket Board on the world stage, even though it was a great opportunity. I’m feeling really depressed to realise that even though we hosted you, no one showed up.

This is literally beyond my understanding.
How can this be done???#championstrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/CPIUgevFj9

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) March 9, 2025

It certainly seemed strange to me: Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram, a former pacer for Pakistan, also questioned the situation, saying he could not see why the host country should not send even one official to participate in the formalities.

According to Akram on the Dressing Room show following the event, “As far as I know, Chairman Saab (PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi) wasn’t well, but the people that came from there (PCB) were Sumair Ahmad Syed (PCB’s Chief Operating Officer) and Usman Wahla (PCB’s Director of International), but no one was there on the stage.”

We were the hosts, correct? What prevented the PCB’s COO or whoever was standing in for Chairman Saab from being on stage? Did they not receive an invitation? I have no idea what the tale is. Sitting here, it certainly seemed strange to me. Koi na koi stage par khada hona bahot jaruri thi, Pakistani. Even if there was a cup and a medal, someone ought to have been present. (Any kind of representation for Pakistan was essential.)” Akram continued.