Shoaib Akhtar reacts strongly to PCB’s exclusion from Champions Trophy ceremony

Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has expressed his disappointment over the absence of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) representatives during the Champions Trophy final presentation ceremony in Dubai. Despite Pakistan being the official host of the tournament, no PCB official was present on stage as India clinched their third Champions Trophy title by defeating New Zealand.

In a video shared on social media, Akhtar remarked, "India has won the ICC Champions Trophy. There was one odd thing: no one from the Pakistan Cricket Board during the presentation ceremony. Pakistan is the host of the Champions Trophy, but there was no representative of Pakistan who was standing. No one was there to present the trophy. It is beyond me." 

The presentation ceremony featured ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCCI President Roger Binny, and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, but notably lacked any PCB representation. Reports indicate that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was unable to attend due to official commitments, and while PCB's Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed was present in Dubai, he was not invited onto the podium.