PCB COO slams ICC over exclusion from ICC Champions Trophy closing ceremony

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sumair Ahmad Syed has strongly criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) for excluding PCB officials from the closing ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Syed called the incident "administrative mismanagement" by the ICC.

PCB officials were noticeably absent from the presentation ceremony, where medals and awards were given to the winning and runner-up teams. Instead, ICC Chief Jay Shah and officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) were seen on stage.

At a media conference held on Saturday at Gaddafi Stadium, Sumair expressed his disappointment. 

"I was at the final of the ICC Champions Trophy as the chairman couldn't attend. We asked the ICC for an explanation, but their response was unsatisfactory. Therefore, we have sought further clarity. At this point, I would call it administrative mismanagement on the ICC’s part—and everyone knows who is behind it," Sumair said.

Several former cricketers, including Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar, also voiced their concerns regarding the absence of PCB representation at the high-profile event. Akram found it "odd" that no official from the host nation was present on stage.

In response to the criticism, the ICC clarified the situation with an explanation. 

An ICC spokesperson said, "Mr. Naqvi was unavailable and did not travel to Dubai for the final. The ICC only invites the head of the host board—such as the president, vice president, chairman, or CEO—to participate in the awards ceremony. Other board officials, even if present at the venue, are not part of the stage proceedings."

On the field, India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the final, successfully chasing down a target of 252 runs with six balls to spare. India’s captain Rohit Sharma played a key role with a match-winning half-century. Batting first, New Zealand posted a total of 251 runs, with Daryl Mitchell scoring a determined half-century. 

This victory marked India’s third Champions Trophy title, following their previous wins in 2002 and 2013.