Amid no official statement on the possibility of the Indian cricket team visiting Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, a report in Dawn citing official sources has claimed that the hosts may withdraw from the tournament altogether.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan and is comfortable with playing its matches in a neutral venue like UAE. The ICC Champions Trophy will be organized in February.
This latest development comes after reports that the ICC may consider moving the tournament altogether. “One of the options the government is considering in such a case is to ask the PCB to ensure that Pakistan does not participate in the Champions Trophy,” Dawn quoted a source as saying. He also said that the Pakistan government is looking at the issue “seriously”.
Furthermore, another PTI report said that the ICC has sought confirmation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PVB) whether the hybrid model is acceptable to them. “Unless the PCB decides to withdraw from hosting the Champions Trophy, the current plan is to host India’s matches in the UAE and the final in Dubai,” a source told PTI on Monday. “The Indian cricket board has told the ICC that the hybrid model is acceptable to them only if the final is held in Dubai and not in Pakistan,” the source said.
Meanwhile, as per PTI report, PCB is planning to send an email to ICC which has been reviewed by its legal team. “An email is to be sent to the ICC with the advice of its legal department, in which the board seeks clarification from the ICC on the Indian decision,” the source told PTI. The source also suggested that there could be possible legal consequences for the ICC if Pakistan takes a tough stance. “There will be legal consequences from commercial partners as the ICC has given commitments to broadcasters, sponsors that all top cricket playing nations will participate in its tournaments,” the report quoted the source as saying.
Earlier last week, top PCB executive Mohsin Naqvi had said that Pakistan should not be expected to “continue its good gestures”, pointing to the board’s decision to ban its cricket in the neighboring country by the Indian government. There is flexibility in the stance of not sending the team. Let us tell you that India has not played cricket in Pakistan since 2008, matches between the two countries take place only in ICC tournaments.
