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The ICC thanked the PCB and the Emirates Cricket Board for the successful 2025 Champions Trophy.
Pakistan were eliminated in the group stage (AFP Photo)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Emirates Cricket Board for the successful completion of the 2025 Champions Trophy. The eight-team tournament, which returned after eight years in 2025 concluded on Sunday when India beat New Zealand by four wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, to claim the title for the third time.
The tournament was organized in a hybrid model after India refused to travel to the official host country, Pakistan, due to political and security concerns. India played all their matches in Dubai, while the rest of the teams played at least some of their games in Pakistan’s newly-renovated stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. The second semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa was also hosted in Lahore.
“We would like to thank and congratulate the Pakistan Cricket Board for successfully hosting the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025,” ICC Chief Executive, Geoff Allardice said in a statement.
“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. 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,” he added.
The home side crashed in the group stage and ended the campaign winless. Since then, the PCB has been involved in an informal tussle with the ICC due to what it considers as multiple mistakes by the world body.
These included playing the Indian national anthem at the start of a game in Pakistan, issues with some broadcast logos of the tournament not having the country’s name, and finally an PCB official being allegedly ignored for the closing ceremony after the final.
For the latter, it is said to have sent an official complaint to ICC, though reports have suggested that it’s unlikely to hear from them.