The former cricketer Kamran Akmal has stirred controversy with his blunt remarks regarding the absence of PCB officials during the Price distribution ceremony of the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025.
Akmal reckoned that Pakistan did not ‘deserve’ to have a representative on stage, reasoning that the team’s poor performance and lack of respect on the international stage.
The PCB has filed a complaint to the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking their clarification on the controversy.
Meanwhile, BCCI officials, ICC chairman Jay Shah and NZC CEO were on stage to present accolades to the two finalists, India and New Zealand.
Recently, Kamran Akmal also shared his views on the issue and said the ICC showed them in mirror.
“The ICC showed us the mirror. The tournament’s director (Sumair) was there. He was available, and why wasn’t he in the ceremony? It is because we don’t deserve to be there. We are not playing good cricket.”
“Minnow teams have shown us the mirror. No one discussed how Pakistan hosted the tournament. If we play such cricket, we will be treated like this. If you play for yourself, there will be no respect,” Akmal said on his Youtube Channel.
PCB’s chief operating officer Sumair Ahmed, who was also the tournament director of the Champions Trophy was present at the venue.
But, he was not invited on the stage to participate in the post-match ceremony, which irked the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has also raised his concern about the controversy in a video posted on his social handles right after the final.
Ahead of the Champions Trophy, PCB were not pleased on India refusing not to travel to Pakistan for tournament due political tensions between the two countries.
Eventually, both boards had to agree on a hybrid model as the two boards reached an agreement to not travel to each other’s countries for ICC tournament till 2027.
India played all their matches in Dubai and clinched third Champions Trophy title. This Champions Trophy 2025 was the first tournament being hosted by Pakistan since 1996 World Cup.
