The Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai ended with India lifting the title after defeating New Zealand. However, controversy arose when no representative from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was present during the award ceremony. This absence raised eyebrows, especially since Pakistan was the official host of the tournament.
- India defeated New Zealand to win the Champions Trophy 2025.
- PCB officials were absent from the award ceremony.
- ICC Chairman Jay Shah presented the trophy to India.
- PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was occupied with official duties.
- Former cricketers criticized PCB’s absence from the event.
India Claims Champions Trophy 2025 After 12 Years
The Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, secured the Champions Trophy title after 12 years. India overcame New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling final. The victory was powered by the contributions of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Hardik Pandya. Their collective effort ensured India’s dominance in ICC tournaments continued.
Controversy Over PCB’s Absence in Award Ceremony
A major talking point post-match was the absence of PCB officials from the presentation ceremony. The award distribution included ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCCI President Roger Binny, and New Zealand Cricket’s Roger Twose. However, no PCB representative was seen on stage, despite Pakistan being the tournament’s official host.
Reasons Behind PCB’s No-Show
According to reports, PCB CEO Sumair Ahmed was at the venue but was not invited to the podium. Additionally, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior, had prior commitments, preventing his travel to Dubai. This lack of PCB representation sparked criticism from former cricketers like Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah’s Role in the Ceremony
ICC Chairman Jay Shah, who was previously the BCCI Secretary, played a key role in the ceremony. He personally handed over the Champions Trophy to Rohit Sharma and celebrated with the team. Shah was visibly delighted as India secured another ICC title under his tenure.
Cricket Fraternity Reacts to PCB’s Absence
The unexpected exclusion of PCB officials did not go unnoticed. Several cricket experts questioned why Pakistan, as the tournament host, had no representation on stage. While some suggested a misunderstanding, others believed it was a deliberate snub, further fueling tensions between PCB and ICC.
India’s Continued Success in ICC Tournaments
Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, India has dominated global tournaments, winning the 2024 T20 World Cup and now the Champions Trophy 2025. The team’s strong performances in ICC events solidify their standing as a cricket powerhouse.
The Champions Trophy 2025 final was historic, but PCB’s absence at the award ceremony overshadowed the celebrations. With questions raised about ICC’s handling of the event, the cricketing world continues to debate PCB’s exclusion. Meanwhile, India’s triumph adds another milestone to their cricketing legacy.
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