Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar questioned the absence of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials from the post-match presentation ceremony after the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday. Pakistan was the host of the tournament.
“India has won the Champions Trophy but I noticed there was no representative from the PCB after the final. Pakistan was hosting the Champions Trophy. I do not understand it. Why was nobody there to present the trophy? It is beyond me. It is something to think about. This is the world stage, you should have been here. Feeling very down to see that,” Akhtar said in a video posted on social media.
BCCI president Roger Binny presented the white jackets to India and the medals to match officials. ICC Chairman Jay Shah handed the trophy to Rohit Sharma and gave the medals to the Indian players.
India had refused to play its matches in Pakistan citing security concerns. The PCB agreed to a hybrid model, allowing India to play its games in Dubai.
Over the course of the three-week competition, India was criticised for having a home-like advantage in Dubai and not having to travel between different venues.