The International Cricket Council (ICC) has addressed the controversy surrounding the absence of a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official at the Champions Trophy final. The match, played in Dubai, saw India defeat New Zealand by four wickets. However, the post-match ceremony raised questions as no PCB representative was present on stage, despite Pakistan being the tournament's official host. Reports suggest that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was invited to the final but did not attend due to health reasons. Sumair Ahmed Syed, PCB’s Chief Operating Officer and the tournament director, was present at the venue but was not called onto the stage. The ICC clarified that only the heads of cricket boards, along with ICC representatives, are included in award ceremonies, following a long-standing protocol. An ICC spokesperson confirmed Naqvi’s absence and defended the process. The spokesperson stated, “Mr. Naqvi was invited but could not travel to Dubai for the final. Our policy remains consistent across all tournaments—only the head of the host board is part of the stage proceedings.” Read also: LSG pacers to miss bulk of IPL 2025: recovering lumbar injury Former Cricketers Express Disappointment The lack of PCB representation during the ceremony did not sit well with former Pakistani cricketers. Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar voiced their disappointment, questioning why a PCB official was not present to uphold the country’s role as host. Akram, speaking on a post-match show, emphasized the importance of Pakistan’s presence. He said, “Even if the chairman couldn’t attend, someone from PCB should have been on that stage. It looked odd.” Akhtar echoed similar concerns on social media, slamming the starc absence of PCB officials in the final. Despite the criticism, Naqvi later called the tournament a “historic success,” thanking all stakeholders involved. The Champions Trophy was Pakistan’s first major ICC event since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup, and while the competition itself was well organized, the final ceremony left many wondering about the country’s representation on the global stage.