Virat Kohli receives the medal from ICC chairman Jay Shah. (AP Photo) Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has stirred controversy with his blunt remarks regarding the absence of a representative from host nation Pakistan during the prize distribution ceremony of the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy. Akmal asserted that Pakistan did not “deserve” to have a representative on stage, citing the team’s poor performance and lack of respect on the international stage. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!”The ICC showed us the mirror,” Akmal said on his YouTube channel. “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. Minow teams have shown us the mirror.” He further expressed his disappointment with the current state of Pakistan cricket, adding, “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.” Champions Return: Rohit, Hardik, Shreyas, Gambhir return after India’s title triumphICC defends protocol as controversy erupts over missing Pakistani representativeThe controversy erupted when Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive and Champions Trophy tournament director Sumair Ahmad Syed, who was present at the venue in Dubai, was not invited on stage for the final presentation. India clinched the Champions Trophy title for the third time by defeating New Zealand by four wickets, but Pakistan’s absence from the ceremonial proceedings drew widespread criticism back home. The PCB lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC), calling the incident “unacceptable.” A PCB official was quoted by PTI as stating, “We have filed a formal complaint with the ICC as what happened is unacceptable to us.” However, ICC sources have reportedly dismissed the complaint, indicating that the PCB is unlikely to receive a formal explanation or apology. The ICC maintained that the protocol did not mandate the presence of the tournament director on stage. India win Champions Trophy title; Rohit Sharma confirms he’s not retiringResponding to the criticism, an ICC source explained to PTI, “If the PCB mandarins look up, even ICC CEO Geoff Allardice wasn’t present on stage. The reason is protocol. Sumair Ahmed is an employee of the PCB and not an office-bearer. Also, please check when has a tournament director been on stage for presentation?” During the prize distribution ceremony, BCCI president Roger Binny presented white jackets to Indian players and handed medals to match officials, while ICC chairman Jay Shah presented the trophy to India skipper Rohit Sharma. Other dignitaries on stage included BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and New Zealand Cricket CEO Roger Twose.Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.
‘ICC showed us the mirror’: Kamran Akmal blasts PCB, says Pakistan didn’t deserve stage presence at Champions Trophy ceremony | Cricket News
