Pakistan's Failure to Appear on the Podium at CT 2025-A Scandal Unfolds
Pakistan's failure to appear at the podium during the Champions Trophy 2025 has created a hue and cry. Was this a snub, a protest, or an ulterior motive? Here is what transpired.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was ended in a dramatic fashion at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) with India winning on the day. But the festivities were tainted by a brewing scandal regarding Pakistan's failure to appear on the podium during the closing ceremony. The tournament host, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), did not have a representative on the grand finale stage, which raised many eyebrows and questions among people, including former cricketers, fans, and analysts.
The Missing PCB Representation
The 20-day, 15-match event was originally set to be staged in Pakistan. The geopolitical rivalries and security issues resulted in the shifting of most of the matches, and the final match, to Dubai. Despite such logistical re-adjustment, the host country was still Pakistan. With such status, one would have expected that a high official of the PCB would be at the grand final ceremony.
The two were replaced on the stage by ICC Chairperson Jay Shah, BCCI President Roger Binny, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Director Roger Twose. The glaring missing link of any PCB official had tongues wagging and heads cocked with wondering why.
Shoaib Akhtar's Indignation
No one, especially not former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, was surprised by the happening, as they reacted to the event in sheer indignation.
India too have won the Champions Trophy, but I saw something very bizarre. There wasn't a single PCB official on the dais, even though the tournament had been organized in Pakistan. I do not get it why no one attended representing the country. It is above my capabilities even to imagine this. Someone must have been there on this international stage. Regrettably, I was not able to spot any PCB officials there," Akhtar said in a video statement.
His words chimed with the majority of cricket enthusiasts, especially the Pakistani fans, who felt that their country had been excluded from a tournament where it was originally supposed to host.
Why No PCB Official Was Present
It is noted that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also failed to attend the Dubai closing ceremony, a call in itself that was impartial. The PCB decided to send their representative in the shape of Sumair Ahmed, director of Pakistan leg, but he wasn't called up on stage due to protocol limitations.
Powers-that-be had strictly laid down regulations on who was acceptable to be seated on the podium. Elected members and directors alone could take up podium seats, with officials who held administrative positions like tournament directors excluded from the privilege of sitting along with ICC and BCCI administrators. Andre Russell, director for the Dubai leg, was also not on the podium.
Political and Cricketing Implications
A non-appearance of a PCB delegate at an event of this level has provoked whispers of deep divisions within cricket's heart. Pakistan-India tension has long transcended into issues of cricket itself, influencing competition scheduling, tournament hosting rights, and administrative coordination.
Certain analysts believe that this episode is another indication of India's growing dominance in the administration of global cricket, especially with BCCI Secretary Jay Shah being the ICC Chairperson as well. Others believe that the PCB ought to have taken a precaution of getting their major personnel in Dubai so they wouldn't have to endure this humiliating experience.
The Bigger Picture
While the event has been contentious, it also helps highlight the evolving balance of world cricket administration. The PCB's inability to spot a representative on the podium not only hurt national pride but also raised eyebrows about its place in the ICC pecking order. Pakistan can still be global while it needs to assert itself more strongly in cricket administration and diplomacy.
As the dust settles on Champions Trophy 2025, the scandal shall be the subject of discussion for weeks ahead. Whether a momentary lapse in judgment or a sign of problems under the surface, Pakistan's inability to see the podium is something cricket fans and commentators will keep debating.
