PCB release official statement on ICC throwing them out of Champions Trophy final presentation

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has raised the issue of Champions Trophy 2025 final controversy once again when there was no representative from the host nation for the presentation ceremony.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of PCB, Sumair Ahmed, has put all the blame on International Cricket Council (ICC) and called it a result of mismanagement on the part of the world body.

Sumair also revealed that one of the roof of the newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium leaked during the Champions Trophy 2025. The roof supposedly couldn't handled the heavy rain and eventually came off.

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PCB opens up on Champions Trophy 2025 final presentation controversy

During a function in Lahore, Sumair Ahmed called the confusion as a result of mismanagement from the ICC. He revealed that the PCB wasn't satisfied with ICC's response and has demanded another explanation from the world body.

“It was a result of mismanagement on part of the ICC and everyone knows who's involved in it. We did not take the matter in a positive way. We had asked for an explanation from the ICC but the response received wasn't satisfactory so we've sent another letter seeking explanation," Sumair said.

It was an embarrassing momPCB opens up on Champions Trophy 2025 final presentation controversy; slams ICC for "mismanagement"
ent for Pakistan that also surprised many former cricketers. Pakistan were the hosts of the tournament and it was the first ICC tournament held in the country in 29 years.

However, the final of the tournament as held in Dubai due to India's presence in the summit clash. While all the teams played in Pakistan, India's matches were held in a hybrid model at Dubai due to the Indian government's refusal to send their team to the neighboring country.

Who were present at CT 2025 final presentation ceremony?

In the final presentation ceremony of the Champions Trophy 2025, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia was present alongside New Zealand Cricket's CEO Roger Twose at the stage. Along with these dignitaries, BCCI president Roger Binny and ICC chairman Jay Shah were also present on the stage.

All the dignitaries distributed the medals to the match officials as well as the players. But the absence of any representative from the host country Pakistan didn't please the PCB.

It is believed that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi was earlier expected to travel to Dubai for the final but was unable to do so because of personal reasons. He sent the board's COO Sumair Ahmed, who was also the tournament director, to represent the board.

However, the ICC didn't bother to call him on stage. As a result, the PCB demanded an explanation from the ICC but claimed that they haven't received any satisfactory response from the world body.

Gaddafi Stadium's roof comes off

Sumair also revealed the details of the newly-renovated Gaddafi Stadium and claimed that one of the stadium's roofs came off during the tournament. According to Sumair, it is the result of heavy rain during the match between Australia and Afghanistan in Lahore.

"We have claimed damages and the fault has been removed by the same contractor," added Sumair.

The match was later washed out due to rain and both teams were awarded a point each. South Africa and Australia qualified from Group B while Afghanistan just missed the semi-final qualification.