Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal slams PCB after no PCB representative was present at the Champions Trophy 2025 final presentation ceremony. Despite Pakistan being the official host of the tournament, no PCB official was included on the podium when the post-match awards were distributed, raising serious concerns among fans and former players.
The PCB has since filed a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC), demanding an explanation for their exclusion. However, Kamran Akmal slams PCB, saying their absence was self-inflicted, attributing it to Pakistan’s poor performance in the tournament rather than an ICC snub.
💬 Kamran Akmal’s blunt assessment:
“The ICC showed us the mirror. The tournament director (Sumair Ahmed) was there. He was available, so why wasn’t he at the ceremony? It’s because we don’t deserve to be there. We are not playing good cricket. Even minnow teams have shown us the mirror. If we continue playing like this, we will be treated like this.”
Kamran Akmal slams PCB in a fiery rant on his YouTube channel, further fueling debate over Pakistan’s declining cricketing standards and the ICC’s treatment of the PCB during the marquee event.
Pakistan’s Absence from the Podium Sparks Controversy
During the post-match awards ceremony, several high-ranking cricket officials were present, including:
✔️ BCCI President Roger Binny
✔️ BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia
✔️ ICC Chairman Jay Shah
✔️ New Zealand Cricket’s CEO Roger Twose
However, Sumair Ahmed, the PCB’s chief operating officer and tournament director, was nowhere to be seen, leading to outrage and disappointment within the Pakistani cricket community.
Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar also criticized the PCB, echoing Akmal’s sentiments in a video message on social media.
💡 Key Takeaway: Pakistan, as the official host, was sidelined on its own turf—an embarrassment that former players like Kamran Akmal refuse to ignore because of that Kamran Akmal Slams PCB.
‘It Felt Like an IPL Event’: Kamran Akmal Slams PCB Over Tournament Organization
Kamran Akmal slams PCB not just for on-field failures but also for the poor organization of the event. He expressed anger over the lack of Pakistani cultural representation in the mid-innings break performance.
💬 Akmal’s criticism of the tournament’s organization:
“It was our event, we hosted it. Our entertainers should have performed during the mid-innings break. Atif Aslam made the anthem—he should’ve been there. But there was no representation from our country. It felt like an IPL event, the way they organized it in Dubai.”
This lack of Pakistani presence only fueled disappointment among fans, reinforcing Akmal’s stance that the PCB had failed to assert itself.
📌 Key Concerns Raised:
✔️ No Pakistani artist performed at the final.
✔️ The atmosphere resembled an IPL-style event, despite being a PCB-hosted tournament.
✔️ Pakistan’s role as the host nation appeared diminished throughout the event.
💡 Key Takeaway: For many Pakistani fans, the Champions Trophy final felt like an event hosted by others—another example of the PCB’s weak handling of the tournament.
The Hybrid Model & India’s Absence from Pakistan Matches
Pakistan’s hosting struggles began before the Champions Trophy 2025 even started. Due to security and political tensions, India refused to travel to Pakistan, forcing the PCB to agree to a hybrid model.
📌 How the hybrid model worked:
✔️ India played all its matches in Dubai.
✔️ Other teams played some matches in Pakistan and some in neutral venues.
✔️ The final was hosted in Dubai rather than Pakistan.
This arrangement weakened Pakistan’s position as the host, with most high-profile matches happening outside the country.
💡 Key Takeaway: Kamran Akmal slams PCB for failing to secure full hosting rights, making the tournament feel like an Indian-led event rather than a Pakistani one.
PCB’s Response: Formal Complaint Lodged with ICC
Amid the growing backlash, the PCB has formally complained to the ICC, demanding an explanation for why no PCB official was included on the podium at the final ceremony.
📌 What the PCB is demanding:
✔️ Clarification from the ICC on why their officials were excluded.
✔️ Answers on why no Pakistani cultural representation was included in the entertainment segment.
✔️ Greater accountability for event organization decisions.
However, Kamran Akmal slams PCB, saying their absence was not a conspiracy but a reflection of their cricketing failures.
💡 Key Takeaway: The PCB is pushing back, but Pakistan’s own cricketing struggles have made it difficult to demand a stronger presence at ICC events.
Final Thoughts: What Does This Mean for Pakistan Cricket?
The Champions Trophy 2025 was supposed to be a moment of pride for Pakistan, showcasing the country’s ability to host a major ICC event. Instead, it has exposed the PCB’s administrative weaknesses and Pakistan’s declining cricketing status.
🚨 What went wrong?
✔️ Pakistan struggled on the field, failing to make a strong impact.
✔️ The PCB failed to assert itself in ICC decision-making, leading to its exclusion from key moments.
✔️ Hosting rights were undermined by the hybrid model, diminishing Pakistan’s presence.
💬 Kamran Akmal’s final warning:
“If we keep playing like this, we will continue to be ignored. Cricket is about performance, and if you play for yourself, you will get no respect.”
🚀 Has the PCB lost control over international cricket events? Is Pakistan’s cricketing status weakening on the global stage? Share your thoughts! 💭
