Amid Pakistan-ICC battle over Champions Trophy presentation, global body sends 'thank you' note to PCB

The tension between Pakistan and the ICC over the Champions Trophy 2025 presentation ceremony took another turn as the global cricketing body sent a 'thank you' note to the PCB.

Pakistan Cricket Board has been praised by ICC for successfully hosting the Champions Trophy. Image: Reuters

FirstCricket Staff|Mar 13, 2025, 12:15:15 IST

The cricketing world has recently been dominated by the news of the Jay Shah-led International Cricket Council snubbing Pakistan during the closing ceremony of the Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday. The so-called snub led to a war of words between the global body and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the media, with the national board raising its concerns and the ICC issuing the explanation.

Amid the controversy, the ICC has issued a note of thanks to Pakistan for successfully hosting the Champions Trophy 2025. It was the first ICC tournament in Pakistan since the 1996 World Cup and the PCB spent billions of Pakistani rupees to upgrade the stadiums at Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.

'PCB should be proud of their efforts'

The Champions Trophy 2025 ended on Sunday with India beating New Zealand in the final held in Dubai under the hybrid model

“We would like to thank and congratulate the Pakistan Cricket Board for successfully hosting the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025,” ICC CEO Geoff Allardice said.

“As this was the first global multi-team cricket event played in the country since 1996, this event was of huge significance for the PCB, and all those involved in renovating the stadiums, preparing the playing surfaces, delivering the matches and hosting the teams and visitors should be very proud of their efforts.

10 out of 15 matches in the tournament were played in Pakistan.

“The ICC would also like to thank the Emirates Cricket Board for staging five of the matches in Dubai and continuing to provide great support to the ICC in staging its major men’s and women’s events.”

Pakistan, however, were unable to reach the knockouts in the Champions Trophy 2025 as they finished last in Group A.

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