Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has stirred controversy by stating that the ICC’s decision to exclude a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official from the Champions Trophy closing ceremony was a reflection of the team’s poor standing in world cricket. Despite Pakistan being the official host, only officials from India and New Zealand, the two finalists, were present on stage, with Kamran Akmal supporting the move, saying Pakistan had not earned a place in the spotlight.
The PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, occupied with political duties, did not attend the ceremony in Dubai. Instead, PCB’s chief executive and tournament director Sumair Ahmad Syed was present but was not invited to the stage. The BCCI president Roger Binny and the ICC chairman Jay Shah handled most of the presentations, further sidelining Pakistan’s role in the event.
Kamran Akmal openly criticised the situation, stating that the ICC’s decision was a wake-up call for Pakistan cricket. He expressed that the exclusion of the PCB’s representative was a direct consequence of the team’s declining performance, emphasising that without playing quality cricket, Pakistan would continue to face such treatment. He pointed out that no discussions took place about Pakistan’s hosting efforts, as the focus remained on the team’s underwhelming show.
In response, the PCB has reportedly lodged a formal complaint with the ICC, expressing anger over what they perceive as a sign of disrespect. However, the ICC sources dismissed the complaints, clarifying that there was no rule requiring Sumair to be invited on stage. They pointed out that even the ICC CEO Geoff Allardice was absent and explained that tournament directors typically do not feature in closing ceremonies.
Pakistan’s on-field struggles further compounded their embarrassment. Entering the tournament as defending champions, they failed to win a single match, suffering two consecutive losses before their final group-stage fixture was abandoned due to rain. Meanwhile, India’s dominant performance saw them reach the final which was held in Dubai where they secured a four-wicket victory over New Zealand to claim the title.
As Pakistan cricket grapples with internal turmoil and external criticism, the incident has only added to growing concerns about the team’s future on the global stage.
