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'We Were Host...,' Wasim Akram Lambasts PCB Over No-Show At Champions Trophy Final

Akshita Patel

Wasim Akram unimpressed with PCB [Source: @AnkitSharma8878, @BCCI/X.com]Wasim Akram unimpressed with PCB [Source: @AnkitSharma8878, @BCCI/X.com]

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Former Pakistan legendary pacer Wasim Akram slammed PCB for not turning up at the Champions Trophy 2025 final podium. He argued that Pakistan was the host of the tournament and should have sent a representative for the award ceremony.

India were crowned the Champions Trophy 2025 winners after beating New Zealand by 4 wickets in an eventful final. 

Chasing 252 runs, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill built a 100-run opening stand before Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya made notable contributions to take India across the finish line.

However, following India’s win, the mood across the border in Pakistan is not great. 

Wasim Akram hits out at PCB after India wins Champions Trophy

Former Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has voiced his disappointment over the absence of any Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official during the presentation ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai. 

Despite Pakistan being the official host of the tournament, no PCB representative was present on stage when India lifted their first ICC 50-over title in 12 years after defeating New Zealand by four wickets. 

On The Dressing Room show, Akram questioned why no Pakistani official was involved in the post-match ceremony, even though PCB’s COO Sumair Ahmad Syed and Director of International Usman Wahla were in attendance.

“We were the host, weren’t we right? How come even the COO of PCB or whoever it may be who was representing Chairman Saab, why weren’t they on stage? Were they not invited? I don’t know what is the story. It definitely looked odd to me while sitting here. Pakistani, koi na koi stage par khada hona bahot jaruri tha. Chahe wo cup na de, chahe wo medal na de but somebody should’ve been there," Akram said.

Akram backs India amid pitch advantage debate

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has shut down critics questioning India's Champions Trophy 2025 victory, asserting that Rohit Sharma’s men would have won regardless of the venue. 

"A lot of people talked about India playing all their matches in Dubai. Even if they played in Pakistan, their team would have won there too in the same fashion," he added.

India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, just like their dominant 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. After refusing to travel to Pakistan for security reasons, India played all their Champions Trophy games in Dubai, including the final.