ICC Champions Trophy: PCB member snubbed at the closing ceremony after India's victory

Though India, now the champions, played all their matches in Dubai, Pakistan was still the official host of the ICC Champions Trophy. India's qualification for the final moved the summit clash out of Pakistan, with the second semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa being the last fixture of the tournament held in the country. However, as the host nation, PCB representatives were expected to be part of the presentation ceremony after the final. As India secured the trophy with a four-wicket win over New Zealand in Dubai, the cricket fraternity, including former Pakistan pace spearhead, highlighted the glaring absence of any PCB representative at the presentation ceremony.

PCB member present but not invited to the stage for the ICC Champions Trophy closing ceremony

The absence of Pakistan representatives from the ICC Champions Trophy closing ceremony has been explained, hours after the internet raised questions over the issue. India secured their third Champions Trophy title by defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final. However, during the post-match presentation, no officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board were present on stage to distribute medals and jackets to the players, despite Pakistan being the tournament's official host. 

This raised several questions, with former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar also criticizing the PCB's absence from the ceremony. Instead, BCCI president Roger Binny and secretary Devajit Saikia handed out the medals and jackets, while ICC President Jay Shah presented the trophy to Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. Now, an ICC spokesperson has addressed the situation, providing clarity in a statement. According to the spokesperson, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was unavailable and did not travel to Dubai for the final. They further clarified that only PCB office bearers were eligible to attend the presentation ceremony, but none were present in Dubai at the time.

"Mr Naqvi was unavailable and didn’t travel. As per understanding, only office bearers can be called for trophy presentation, so from PCB no office bearer was available for the same. And they (PCB) were the hosts, they should have been there," said the ICC spokesperson.

Meanwhile, another report  suggests that PCB’s chief executive officer Sumair Ahmed, who also served as the tournament director, was at the venue but was not invited to the stage. The report speculates that a communication lapse between him and ICC officials organizing the event may have resulted in his exclusion. Additionally, the PCB is now expected to raise the issue with the ICC, seeking an explanation for why their CEO was left out of the closing ceremony.

"PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi didn't go to Dubai because of prior commitments as federal minister for interior but the PCB CEO was sent to represent Pakistan at the final and closing presentation," a source informed further.