ICC explains why PCB officials were absent from the Champions Trophy 2025 presentation ceremony

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi: The global governing body of Cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has provided an explanation regarding why no officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were present on stage during the presentation ceremony of the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai. 

The ICC gave clarifications regarding this matter after India Today asked them about the absence of PCB's representatives at such a big event. 

According to an ICC spokesperson, Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was invited to attend the Champions Trophy 2025 Final award ceremony but he didn't come. 

"Mr Mohsin Naqvi wasn't available and he didn't travel to Dubai for the Champions Trophy Final," the spokesperson said. 

Cricket experts & fans raised concerns about the absence of Pakistani representatives during the award ceremony. In response, the Global Cricket Governing Body explained that it follows the same rules for all of their tournaments.

Why were no one from the PCB at the Champions Trophy Final award ceremony? 

"Only the head of the host board, such as the chairman, CEO, president, or vice president, is invited by the ICC to attend the awards event. Even if they are at the location, other board officials are not allowed to get involved in the stage operations", the spokesperson stated. 

The Global Cricket Governing Body made it clear that this particular rule was not just specifically used for the Champions Trophy, but it is applicable to all the tournaments held by the ICC. The only reason no PCB was present on stage during the presentation ceremony was that the designated delegate of Pakistan didn't attend the event. 

However, some news reports claim that the Pakistan Cricket Board is unhappy with the situation and they are planning to raise this particular issue with the ICC. They will be asking why Sameer Ahmed Syed, the CEO of the PCB, was not invited to be a part of the awards distribution ceremony despite being present at the venue as the director of the tournament. 

"Despite the fact that a significant PCB official was present in Dubai, it is alarming that Pakistan was not represented at the closing ceremony," a source stated.

The all-important summit clash of the eight-team tournament took place in the city of Dubai after the Indian team wasn't allowed to play their matches in Pakistan due to the Indian Government's refusal to send them to their neighboring country. 

Do Read: 'Don't spread Unnecessary Rumours', Jadeja breaks his silence on his retirement after winning the Champions Trophy 2025