Mohsin Naqvi 'Unsatisfied' With ICC's Champions Trophy Ceremony Explanation, PCB Set To Register Protest: Report

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing to lodge a formal protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the exclusion of its CEO and Champions Trophy tournament director, Sumair Ahmed Syed, from the event's closing ceremony in Dubai.

A PCB insider revealed on Monday that chairman Mohsin Naqvi was dissatisfied with the ICC's justification for Syed's absence from the presentation ceremony. "The ICC, apparently, has said it had prepared for Mohsin Naqvi to be on stage so when he didn't show up for the final, they changed their plan," a PCB source stated PTI.

In the final of the tournament, India secured a four-wicket victory over New Zealand. The ICC admitted to an error during the presentation ceremony, where the Indian national anthem was played momentarily due to a mix-up with the playlist before being corrected.

During the ceremony, BCCI president Roger Binny had the honor of presenting white jackets to the Indian players and handing medals to the match officials. Meanwhile, ICC chairman Jay Shah presented the championship trophy to India's skipper Rohit Sharma and distributed medals among the winning team. Additionally, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and New Zealand Cricket's CEO Roger Twose were present on stage.

Despite the ICC's explanation, the PCB remains unconvinced and has pointed out multiple instances where it felt Pakistan's role as the host nation was undermined during the tournament. One such instance involved the live broadcast of the India vs. Bangladesh match, where the official Champions Trophy 2025 logo was altered. Another controversial moment occurred in Lahore during the Australia vs. England match when the Indian national anthem was mistakenly played.

Meanwhile, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has extended his appreciation to all stakeholders involved in the successful execution of the Champions Trophy. "Your commitment and collective efforts ensured the seamless execution of the prestigious tournament," Naqvi expressed on social media.

"Pakistan takes immense pride in hosting the Champions Trophy and making it a spectacle for cricket fans worldwide," he added.

With its concerns mounting over various incidents throughout the tournament, the PCB is now set to raise these issues formally with the ICC, seeking clarification and assurances for future events.