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Kamran Akmal Reacts to Pakistan’s Absence at Champions Trophy 2025 Presentation Ceremony

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Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has spoken out about the controversy surrounding Pakistan’s absence at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 prize distribution ceremony. Akmal stated that Pakistan “did not deserve” to be represented at the event due to their poor performance in the tournament.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a protest with the ICC over the absence of a Pakistani official at the ceremony. PCB Chief Executive Sumair Ahmad Syed was present at the venue but was not seen on stage. Reports suggest that PCB failed to formally inform the ICC that Sumair would replace PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Akmal was critical of Pakistan’s cricketing standards, pointing out that so-called “minnow” teams had performed better than them.

“The ICC showed us the mirror. 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,” Kamran said on his YouTube channel.

“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,” Kamran added.

The prize ceremony featured high-ranking officials, including ICC Chairman Jay Shah and BCCI President Roger Binny. Akmal also questioned why no Pakistani artists were included in the mid-innings break, despite Pakistan being the official host. He compared the event’s organization to the IPL, saying its influence in Dubai was evident.

The tournament itself faced logistical issues, with India playing all their matches in Dubai due to security concerns in Pakistan.

Story First Published at www.probatsman.com on 13 March 2025

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