The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 concluded with India emerging victorious, donning the prestigious white blazer in Dubai. Adding to Pakistan's woes, Indian fans took to social media to celebrate their team’s triumph while taking playful jabs at their arch-rivals not only for the title win but also for the absence of Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) officials during the presentation ceremony.
A tournament hosted by Pakistan, but no PCB official present at the presentation ceremony. pic.twitter.com/m0Ah3F5xXO
— (@CallMeSheri1) March 9, 2025
As the Indian players received their medals, trophies, and iconic white blazers, the stage was dominated by Indian representation, including ICC President Jay Shah. This further fueled online discussions, with Indian fans highlighting the irony of the situation and making Pakistan the subject of social media banter. Here's how fans reacted to absence of PCB Officials
No one was invited from PCB for the final presentation.#ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/odzqV3bgvi
— Good Guy (@gooljaar) March 9, 2025
Was this champions trophy happening in Pakistan??? Final not in pakistan...pak team didnt even reach SF...No pcb official on stage for presentation??? Plus trophy presented by Aaron finch and not by sarfaraz who was pak captain when it was last held...#ChampionsTrophy2025
— Ashanj (@aammanbharat) March 9, 2025
Pakistan hosted the Champions Trophy but didn’t get an invite to the presentation ceremony? That’s next-level hosting skills-imagine throwing a party so exclusive even the host isn’t allowed in!
— DigitalSanghi (@digitalsangghi) March 9, 2025
F@ck you Pakistan. #PKMKB
CHAMPIONS TROPHY - INDIA
— Jeet Pandey (@MJ_4Ever_88) March 9, 2025
GOLDEN BAT - RACHIN RAVINDRA
GOLDEN BALL - MATT HENRY
GOLDEN EMBARRASSMENT - PAKISTAN @Arzookazmi30#NZvIND #ChampionsTrophy2025
Why were PCB officials not invited for presentation ceremony?
According to Deccan Herald report, a source said that the PCB's chief executive officer Sumair Ahmed, who is also the director of the tournament, was present at the venue but was not invited for the ceremony.
He said, "PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi didn't go to Dubai because of prior commitments as federal minister for interior but the PCB CEO was sent to represent Pakistan at the final and closing presentation,"
The source added that perhaps the CEO might not have been able to communicate properly to the ICC people responsible for organising the final ceremony and was left out. Pakistan as hosts of the Champions Trophy, thus, didn't have any representative on the podium
The PCB is expected to take up the matter with the ICC as to why its CEO was not invited on stage for the closing ceremony. Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar was shocked after noticing the complete absence of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) representatives at the trophy presentation ceremony