● 2025 Champions Trophy, Pakistan’s historic hosting moment undermined by “hybrid model” that shifted matches, including the final, to Dubai.
● Pakistan was excluded from its own trophy ceremony, exposing BCCI’s dominance over global cricket governance.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy was supposed to be a historic moment for Pakistan. It was the first time in decades that the country was set to host a major ICC event, a crucial step toward reviving international cricket at home. Instead, what unfolded was an embarrassing farce orchestrated by the ICC, exposing its blatant bias and the overreach of Indian influence in global cricket governance.
The Farce of a “Hybrid Model”
Pakistan was the designated host for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, yet the final was played in Dubai. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to let its team play in Pakistan, citing “security concerns.” This reasoning appears inconsistent when considering that Indian journalists and influencers visited Pakistan during the tournament without incident. For instance, experienced Indian sports journalists like Uday Biniwale and Sunandan Lele traveled to Pakistan, lauding the hospitality and cultural ties they experienced.
Their positive experiences challenge the narrative of pervasive security threats.
Rather than standing firm and defending Pakistan’s right as host, the International Cricket Council (ICC) acquiesced to India’s demands and implemented a “hybrid model.” This arrangement led Pakistan to host only a handful of matches, while high-profile fixtures, including the final, were relocated to the UAE. This decision effectively stripped Pakistan of its rightful moment in the spotlight and undermined the integrity of its hosting rights.
The inconsistency in citing security concerns becomes evident when considering the presence of Indian influencers and journalists in Pakistan. These examples highlight the selective application of security concerns, raising questions about the true motivations behind the BCCI’s stance and the ICC’s compliance with it.
The Ultimate Disrespect: Pakistan Excluded from Its Own Ceremony
If the venue change wasn’t humiliating enough, the final insult came at the post-match presentation ceremony. As per tradition, the host country’s cricket board officials are present to hand over the trophy. But in Dubai, there was no Pakistani representation at all. The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) CEO Sumair Ahmed Syed, who was the official tournament director, was at the stadium but was not even acknowledged.He was deliberately kept away from the ceremony.
Instead, ICC Chairman Greg Barclay and ICC Vice President Jay Shah—who also happens to be the BCCI Secretary—led the proceedings. The optics were impossible to ignore: an Indian administrator was front and center at a tournament that Pakistan was supposed to be hosting. The message was clear—Pakistan’s role had been erased entirely.
ALthough ICC gave a bogus explanation for this, The Pakistani board rejected ICC’s explanation and noted that the governing body made a few too many errors during the tournament. This included the absence of Pakistan’s name from the Champions Trophy logo during the live broadcast feed of the India versus Bangladesh game and then playing the Indian national anthem in the Australia versus England match in Lahore.
ICC’s Bias and Indian Control
This wasn’t just an oversight—it was a power play. Jay Shah’s presence at the presentation ceremony was a deliberate move to assert control. With India’s influence over the ICC stronger than ever, decisions favoring the BCCI have become routine. From the scheduling of events to revenue distribution, India has manipulated cricket’s governing body to serve its own interests.
Let’s not forget that the ICC Chairman, Greg Barclay, has long been accused of bowing to BCCI’s influence. Under his leadership, crucial decisions—including revenue allocation—have disproportionately benefited India, further cementing its financial grip on the sport.
The ICC’s handling of the 2025 Champions Trophy was not just incompetent; it was deeply unethical. By allowing India to dictate terms, the ICC turned what should have been a celebration of cricket into a geopolitical circus. The message was clear: hosting rights mean nothing if the BCCI doesn’t approve.
What’s Next for Pakistan?
The PCB must take a firm stance. Accepting this level of disrespect sets a dangerous precedent. If Pakistan is not even be represented or participate in a tournament it was supposed to host, then why bid for ICC events at all? The board must demand answers from the ICC and push for policy changes that prevent this from happening again.
More importantly, the global cricket community must take note. The Champions Trophy debacle was not just an insult to Pakistan—it was an assault on the fairness of the sport. If cricket’s governing body continues to operate as a subsidiary of the BCCI, then the game as we know it is in serious jeopardy.
Pakistan deserved better. Cricket deserved better. The 2025 Champions Trophy will be remembered not for India’s victory, but for the ICC’s shameless submission to political pressure and its disgraceful treatment of Pakistan.
