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Explained: Why Did Pakistan Cricket Board Skip Award Ceremony Of Champions Trophy Final?

Akshita Patel

Rohit Sharma collects Champions Trophy title from ICC Chairman Jay Shah [Source: @BCCI/X.com]Rohit Sharma collects Champions Trophy title from ICC Chairman Jay Shah [Source: @BCCI/X.com]

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The final of the Champions Trophy 2025, which was held in Dubai, ended with India claiming the title. The post-match presentation ceremony, however, did generate controversy because there was no Pakistan Cricket Board representative invited onto the stage although Pakistan was the official host of the tournament.

India beat New Zealand by four wickets on the eve of the final in Dubai to lift the Champions Trophy 2025 title after a wait of 12 years. 

Despite the chase being tricky, all-round contributions from Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya turned the tide in India’s favour.

PCB snubbed Champions Trophy final award ceremony

However, the award ceremony of the Champions Trophy final has landed in controversy over a no-show from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). 

The presentation party included ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCCI President Roger Binny, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, and Director of New Zealand Cricket Roger Twose. 

While these officials took part in handing over awards and medals, the absence of a PCB representative did not go unnoticed, leading to questions as Pakistan were the host for the tournament.

According to a report by PTI, PCB CEO Sumair Ahmed, who also served as the tournament’s director, was present at the venue. However, he was not invited to the podium during the final ceremony. 

A PCB source stated that Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had prior commitments as Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior, which prevented him from travelling to Dubai. The source further suggested that a misunderstanding might have led to Ahmed’s exclusion from the ceremony.

But the surprise snub has generated fierce backlash from the cricket fraternity, with ex-cricketers Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar taking a swipe at PCB.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah celebrates Champions Trophy win with team India

The Indian cricket team, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, has continued its remarkable run in ICC tournaments, securing yet another major title by winning the Champions Trophy 2025. 

ICC Chairman Jay Shah was also ecstatic as he hugged Rohit warmly to mark the historic moment. Shah was also the secretary of BCCI in the past and during his time, India triumphed in the 2024 T20 World Cup as well.