Champions Trophy: India has clinched the Champions Trophy 2025 title, marking yet another historic moment in Indian cricket. However, the victory has sparked a heated debate in Pakistan, with discussions centered around the closing ceremony of the tournament. Reports suggest that a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) representative was ignored during the event, fueling controversy in the neighboring country. A Pakistani journalist blamed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for this alleged snub, but his argument was swiftly dismissed by a Pakistani TV anchor on live television.
India’s Triumph in Champions Trophy 2025
India’s win in the Champions Trophy 2025 has added another major trophy to their collection, reaffirming their dominance in international cricket. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian team displayed exceptional performances throughout the tournament, culminating in a thrilling victory in the final. The team’s consistency, strategic gameplay, and outstanding individual performances were key factors in securing the title.
The final match saw India defeating their opponents convincingly, with crucial contributions from batting and bowling departments. Indian captain Rohit Sharma played a match-winning innings of 76 runs, earning him the Player of the Match award. The Indian bowling attack, led by Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, also played a pivotal role in dismantling the opposition’s batting lineup.
However, despite India’s well-deserved victory, controversies regarding the treatment of Pakistan’s cricket officials during the closing ceremony have overshadowed the celebrations in Pakistan.
The Controversy Surrounding Pakistan’s Presence at the Closing Ceremony
Following the Champions Trophy final, the focus in Pakistan’s cricketing circles shifted away from the actual match and onto the closing ceremony of the tournament. The controversy began when reports emerged that a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) representative was ignored during the event.
According to a Pakistani journalist, PCB Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi had chosen not to travel to Dubai for the final, despite having the opportunity to attend. Instead, PCB’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Suhair Ahmed represented Pakistan at the event. However, ICC officials allegedly did not call him on stage, which Pakistani media and analysts interpreted as a deliberate act of humiliation by India.
During a discussion on a Pakistani news channel, a journalist claimed that India had tried to humiliate Pakistan throughout the tournament. The panel included former Pakistani cricketers Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal, both of whom listened to the journalist’s accusations against India.
Pakistani TV Anchor Exposes Journalist’s Claims on Live Television
The controversy took an unexpected turn when a Pakistani TV anchor ridiculed the journalist’s claims on live television. The journalist alleged that India had refused to wear jerseys with Pakistan’s name on them and also avoided playing matches in Pakistan. He further suggested that India’s actions were meant to insult Pakistan on the international stage.
However, the TV anchor swiftly dismissed these allegations in a humorous manner. The journalist argued that Pakistan had ultimately won in the long run because the champion team’s white coat (worn during the presentation ceremony) had Pakistan’s name printed on it.
Responding to this statement, the TV anchor sarcastically remarked, “On this pretext, Pakistan will be remembered as a tailor!”
The panelists burst into laughter at this unexpected comeback, leaving the journalist embarrassed on live TV. His attempt to portray India’s victory as a loss for Pakistan was effectively countered by the TV anchor, who suggested that Pakistan should not focus on trivial matters but instead work on improving its cricketing performance.
Isi bahane woh Pakistan ko as a Darji zaroor yaad rakhenge
Sasti khushiyaan 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/jEaVoxPsBp
— Yo Yo Funny Singh (@moronhumor) March 10, 2025
Why is Pakistan Upset Over the Champions Trophy 2025?
Pakistan’s frustration regarding the Champions Trophy stems from several factors beyond the closing ceremony incident. The tension between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been evident in recent years, particularly regarding the venue of international tournaments.
Here are the primary reasons behind Pakistan’s dissatisfaction with the Champions Trophy 2025:
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Hosting Rights Controversy:
- Originally, Pakistan was designated as the official host for the tournament.
- Due to political tensions and security concerns, India refused to play matches in Pakistan.
- The tournament was relocated to a neutral venue (UAE and Sri Lanka), which infuriated the PCB.
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India’s Refusal to Play in Pakistan:
- Indian cricketers refused to travel to Pakistan, citing safety concerns.
- This led to criticism from Pakistani media, who accused India of trying to undermine Pakistan’s role as the host nation.
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India’s Dominant Performance in the Tournament:
- India performed exceptionally well throughout the Champions Trophy, making it difficult for Pakistan to find fault in their cricketing ability.
- Instead of focusing on the team’s on-field success, Pakistani analysts have been discussing off-field controversies.
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Allegations of ICC Favoring India:
- Many Pakistani journalists and former cricketers claim that the ICC is biased towards India, favoring them in scheduling and decision-making.
- The alleged snubbing of PCB officials during the closing ceremony has been used as further evidence to support this claim.
India’s Response to the Controversy
So far, Indian cricket officials have remained silent on the controversy. The BCCI has not issued any statement regarding the claims made by Pakistani media. However, Indian cricket fans and analysts have largely dismissed the controversy as baseless and an attempt to divert attention from Pakistan’s shortcomings.
Many Indian cricket experts believe that Pakistan should focus on improving their cricketing structure instead of blaming India for every issue. Former Indian cricketers have also weighed in on the matter, stating that India’s victory should be celebrated for what it is—a remarkable achievement in world cricket.
The Bigger Picture: India’s Continued Dominance in International Cricket
Beyond the controversy, India’s win in the Champions Trophy 2025 is a testament to their growing dominance in international cricket. The team’s depth, consistency, and match-winning abilities have placed them among the strongest cricketing nations in the world.
Some key takeaways from India’s success include:
- Rohit Sharma’s leadership: His ability to guide the team to victory under pressure.
- Emerging talents: Players like Shubman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj have continued to excel on the global stage.
- India’s strong bowling attack: The team’s spinners and fast bowlers have consistently outperformed their opponents.
India’s Champions Trophy 2025 victory has sparked contrasting reactions in the two countries. While Indian fans and players are celebrating their well-earned victory, Pakistan’s media and cricketing circles are embroiled in controversies over non-cricketing matters.
The incident involving Pakistan’s PCB representative at the closing ceremony may continue to be discussed in Pakistan’s media, but it does not change the fact that India was the best team in the tournament and deserved to win.
Rather than focusing on off-field controversies, Pakistan’s cricketing fraternity should work towards strengthening their team to compete with top-tier nations like India. Meanwhile, India will continue to build on its success and aim for more triumphs in future tournaments.
