Islamabad, Mar 10, 2025: Wasim Akram has expressed his discontent over the absence of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials from the presentation ceremony of the Champions Trophy 2025.
The marquee tournament ended with the Men in Blue securing their third title after defeating New Zealand in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium
During an interview, the former captain remarked that it appeared unusual for a representative from the host nation to be missing from the stage on the final day.
He pointed out that while Mohsin Naqvi was reportedly unwell, other senior PCB officials, including Sumair Ahmad and Usman Wahla, were present at the venue but did not participate in the ceremony.
The former cricketer questioned the situation, wondering why even the Chief Operating Officer (COO) or a designated representative of the chairman was absent.
The King of Swing emphasized that while they did not necessarily need to present trophies or medals, having a Pakistani official on stage would have been significant.
Addressing the matter, an International Cricket Council (ICC) spokesperson explained that Naqvi had been invited but did not travel to Dubai for the final.
The ICC further clarified that its official ceremony protocol only includes the head of the host board, such as the chairman or CEO, and does not extend to other board members.
Despite the explanation, concerns raised by the legendary pacer have sparked debate over PCB’s handling of its hosting responsibilities.
