Pakistan's absence from the podium during the ICC Champions Trophy final presentation, despite being the host nation, has sparked some controversy. Former wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal pointed out that the team's lackluster performances throughout the tournament and in previous matches contributed to this outcome.

On his YouTube channel, Akmal remarked, "The ICC has shown us the reality. The tournament's director, Sumair, was present, so why wasn't he part of the ceremony? It's because we haven't earned that spot. Our cricket hasn't been up to par, and even smaller teams have highlighted our shortcomings."

He continued, "No one is talking about how well Pakistan hosted the tournament. If we keep playing like this, we can expect to be treated accordingly. When you play for yourself, respect is hard to come by."

In response to the situation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a formal complaint with the ICC after Sumair Ahmed, the PCB's chief operating officer and tournament director, was overlooked during the trophy presentation, where India claimed victory over New Zealand.

While the ICC hasn't issued an official statement, sources told PTI that tournament protocols left them with no option but to exclude Sumair from the ceremony. "If the PCB officials look closely, even ICC CEO Geoff Allardice wasn't on stage. It's all about protocol," an ICC source explained. "Sumair Ahmed is a PCB employee, not an office-bearer. And when has a tournament director ever been on stage for a presentation?"

The source further added, "For instance, Gaurav Saxena, the ICC's new head of operations and communications, was once the Tournament Director for the Asia Cup in Dubai. Did he appear on stage for the final presentation?"

Pakistan's disappointing run in the Champions Trophy

Pakistan entered the tournament as both the host nation and the reigning champions, having pulled off a surprising win in 2017. Unfortunately, they struggled in their two matches against New Zealand and India. In their opening game, they fell to the Kiwis by 60 runs in Lahore.

Things didn’t get any better as they lost to India by six wickets. These two defeats pretty much determined their fate, and New Zealand's win over Bangladesh later confirmed that Pakistan was out of the tournament during the group stage. Their final match against Bangladesh was canceled due to rain.

Read Also: Dynamic Batting Order, Elite Spinners, Yet Unseasoned Pacers: Assessing KKR's Prospects in IPL 2025

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!