Former Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal has expressed strong disapproval regarding the lack of a representative from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) at the presentation ceremony for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final. Despite Pakistan being the official host of the event, no PCB official was present on stage during the distribution of post-match awards, prompting widespread criticism of the ICC's decision.

In response, the PCB has filed a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to seek an explanation for the absence of their representatives. Akmal, however, attributes this oversight to Pakistan's poor performance in the tournament, suggesting that the team's current standards do not warrant a presence at such a prestigious event.

“The ICC has reflected our reality. The tournament director, Sumair, was present, yet he did not participate in the ceremony. This indicates that we do not deserve to be there. Our cricketing performance has been subpar. Even lesser teams have highlighted our shortcomings. There was no discussion about how Pakistan hosted the tournament. If we continue to play in this manner, we will face such treatment. Playing for personal gain will lead to a lack of respect,” Akmal remarked on his YouTube channel.

During the final ceremony, notable figures such as BCCI president Roger Binny, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, ICC chairman Jay Shah, and New Zealand Cricket’s CEO Roger Twose were present to award trophies and medals.

In contrast, Sumair Ahmed, the PCB’s chief operating officer and tournament director, was notably absent from the podium, which further exacerbated the PCB's dissatisfaction. Additionally, Pakistan's renowned fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar shared his disappointment on social media, voicing his concerns regarding the situation.

‘It felt like an IPL event’

In addition to expressing his discontent regarding Pakistan's absence from the ceremony, Akmal criticized the entertainment arrangements during the mid-innings break. He expressed disappointment that no Pakistani artists were invited to perform, despite Pakistan being the official host of the tournament.

"This was our event, and we were the hosts. Our entertainers should have been the ones performing during the mid-innings break as well. Atif Aslam, who created the anthem, should have been there. Our country had no representation. It felt more like an IPL event, given how it was organized in Dubai," Akmal remarked.

Before the commencement of the tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) encountered challenges, particularly due to India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for security and political reasons. Ultimately, a hybrid model was established, allowing India to play all their matches in Dubai.

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