PCB Protests Against ICC Over Exclusion from Champions Trophy 2025 Final Ceremony

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has filed a formal protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over its exclusion from the Champions Trophy 2025 final ceremony in Dubai.

Despite Pakistan being the official host of the tournament, no PCB representative was present on stage during the post-match awards distribution. The board termed this a “blatant disregard” for Pakistan’s hosting rights.

PCB’s Chief Operating Officer, Sumair Ahmad Syed, who also served as Tournament Director, was present at the stadium during the final between India and New Zealand but was excluded from the official ceremony. However, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia took the stage alongside ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCCI President Roger Binny, and New Zealand Cricket’s chief.

A PCB spokesperson called the ICC’s actions “unjustifiable” and accused the governing body of double standards. The board has demanded a detailed explanation and a public apology from the ICC.

The PCB has rejected the ICC’s justification that only the chairman of the host board is invited to the awards ceremony, questioning why BCCI officials were present despite not holding such a designation.

With tensions escalating, the controversy has sparked global debate on fairness in international cricket governance. Will the ICC address PCB’s concerns or continue catering to selective interests? The cricketing world watches closely.