Shoaib Akhtar Criticizes PCB’s Absence at Champions Trophy 2025 Presentation
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has voiced his disappointment over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) absence at the Champions Trophy 2025 presentation ceremony in Dubai. Despite Pakistan being the official host of the tournament, no PCB representative was present as India lifted the trophy after defeating New Zealand in the final on Sunday.
In a video message shared on X (formerly Twitter), Akhtar questioned the absence, stating:
“India has won the ICC Champions Trophy, but one odd thing stood out—no one from the Pakistan Cricket Board was present during the presentation. Pakistan was the official host, yet no representative was there to present the trophy. It is beyond me. The tournament was hosted by us, but nobody from Pakistan was on stage.”
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The trophy was handed to Indian captain Rohit Sharma by International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah, while Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Roger Binny presented the white blazers to the winning team. Other dignitaries on stage included former Australian captain Aaron Finch and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.
Notably, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was absent, raising concerns about the board’s involvement in the event. In contrast, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla attended the second semi-final in Lahore, where South Africa faced New Zealand.
Hybrid Model and Hosting Challenges
Pakistan was unable to host the final under the hybrid model agreed upon after India refused to play in Pakistan. Lahore was set to host the final only if India did not qualify. As a result, the final was held in Dubai.
The Pakistan team played only one match at home during the tournament, a group-stage fixture against New Zealand in Karachi, which they lost. Their much-anticipated match against India was played in Dubai, where Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat. Meanwhile, their final group game in Rawalpindi was washed out due to rain.
India’s Dominant Victory
India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, securing the title with a convincing performance. Rohit Sharma’s match-winning knock of 76 helped his team chase down New Zealand’s target of 252 in the final. Spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy played crucial roles in restricting the Black Caps, ensuring India’s dominant triumph.
