Champions Trophy row erupts over Pakistan’s absence at presentation; source says PCB COO was snubbed

A massive controversy has broken out over missing Pakistan officials from the Champions Trophy 2025 final presentation ceremony at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday as India emerged victorious . The Indian cricket team won its third Champions Trophy title by beating the Black Caps by four wickets in a thrilling final.

The final and all of India’s matches were held in Dubai under a hybrid model as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had refused to send its team to Pakistan due to security issues. However, Pakistan were the main hosts of the tournament and majority of games took place in their country.

Surprisingly, though, no Pakistani official, either the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman or the tournament director, was present at the trophy presentation ceremony. The stage presentation ceremony was graced by several Indian officials, including BCCI president Roger Binny and secretary Devajit Saikia. Also on the stage was ICC chairman Jay Shah and New Zealand Cricket director Roger Twose, who presented the medals, jackets and the trophy to the players.

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No Paksitan official at Champions Trophy presentation ceremony

The lack of a representative from PCB during the presentation ceremony created a massive uproar in Pakistan as journalists hinted at the bias by ICC and questioned the absence of an official from their country.

It was also suggested that the Champions Trophy tournament director of the Pakistan leg, Sumair Ahmad, who is also the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of PCB, was present at the venue, but he was not asked to attend the presentation ceremony.

“BCCI President Roger Binny and Secretary Devajit Saikia were on stage at the Champions Trophy final presentation. Roger Twose was there too. Yet, no one from the host PCB was included - despite PCB COO Sumair Ahmed Syed being present at the stadium. A deliberate snub by the ICC?” asked a Pakistani journalist.

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ICC @ICC needs to explain why @BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and NZC Director Roger Twose along with BCCI chief Roger Binny were at the stage but not PCB COO and #ChampionsTrophy TD Sumair Ahmad?

— Sohail Imran (@sohailimrangeo) March 9, 2025

Another journalist wrote that the cricket fraternity in Pakistan is unhappy with the snub: “PCB hosted Champions Trophy but no representation from PCB in the presentation ceremony of CT is a big question mark. Indeed cricket fraternity in Pakistan is unhappy with the final of CT held not in Pakistan.”

PCB source claim Pakistan official was snubbed

A source has claimed to Indian news agency PTI that while PCB head Mohsin Naqvi did not travel to Dubai due to a packed schedule, COO and tournament director Sumair Ahmed was present at the venue, however, he was not invited to the ceremony.

“PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi didn’t go to Dubai because of prior commitments as federal minister for interior but the PCB COO was sent to represent Pakistan at the final and closing presentation,” the source said.

The source said that due to some reason or misunderstanding, the PCB official was not invited to the podium, where ICC chairman Shah, BCCI president and secretary were present.

The source added that the COO might not have effectively communicated with the ICC officials in charge of organizing the final ceremony, leading to his exclusion.

As per the report, the PCB is now expected to raise the matter with the ICC.