Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is being strongly criticised for not sending a single representative to the final of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai last night. As India won the title after beating New Zealand by four wickets in the final, the podium was shared by International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Roger Binny, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and New Zealand Cricket director Roger Twose to present accolades to the players.

PCB chief operating officer Sumair Ahmed, also the tournament director of the Champions Trophy, was in Dubai but was reportedly not invited to the podium. According to media reports, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, also the Interior Minister of the country, did not travel to Dubai, citing parliamentary commitments in Islamabad. Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar took to social media and said Pakistan not sending a single representative on a stage is beyond his understanding.

The 2025 Champions Trophy was Pakistan’s first home tournament in 29 years but the hosts were embarrassingly eliminated in the group stage after defeats against New Zealand and India.