he Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) following the exclusion of its representatives from the Champions Trophy 2025 final ceremony. Despite Pakistan serving as the official host of the tournament, no PCB officials were present on stage during the prize distribution, a move the board has termed a “blatant disregard” for its hosting rights.
Specifically, PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed, who also served as the Tournament Director, was present at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium during the final between India and New Zealand on March 9. However, he was excluded from the official ceremony, while Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia took the stage alongside ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCCI President Roger Binny, and New Zealand Cricket’s chief.
The PCB has highlighted several instances where it believes Pakistan’s role as the host was undermined during the tournament, including:
India playing all its matches in Dubai, while other teams, including Pakistan, had to adjust to different venues.
Favorable pitch conditions for India, with reports suggesting that surfaces were tailored to their preferences.
Pakistan’s name missing from the Champions Trophy official logo on the broadcast feed during a group-stage match.
The Indian national anthem being played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium before an Australia-England fixture.
The PCB has called for a full public explanation and assurances that such biased and unjust treatment will not happen again, emphasizing the need for professionalism, transparency, and equal representation in international cricket. 