The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally sought clarification from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on India’s recent refusal to send its team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
In a letter, the PCB questioned the rationale behind India’s stance, particularly as other international teams have toured Pakistan in recent years, including England, New Zealand, and Australia.
The ICC informed PCB last week that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would not be participating in the marquee tournament in Pakistan, citing lack of government clearance from New Delhi.
Tensions between the neighbouring countries have prevented bilateral cricket matches since 2012-13, relegating Pakistan-India encounters to neutral venues or ICC-organised tournaments.
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PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed disappointment at India’s position, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to host the event from February 19 to March 9 across Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi.
Naqvi rejected suggestions of a "hybrid model," where India would play its matches at a neutral venue, such as the UAE, saying, “There have been no discussions about hosting the tournament in a hybrid format.”
In response to the BCCI’s request for a neutral venue, Naqvi noted that hosting the entire tournament outside Pakistan would undermine the event. "Almost every country wants the tournament to be played in Pakistan, and it will be disappointing if they don’t come," he remarked. The PCB has hinted at considering a withdrawal from events in India if the Champions Trophy is relocated.
The PCB’s stance is further bolstered by recent successful tours from other cricketing nations, indicating that Pakistan is a secure host. The board is unwilling to accept "security concerns" as a justification, especially given its reciprocal participation in the recent ODI World Cup held in India.
This impasse has reportedly delayed the official schedule announcement, initially expected this week. Amid ongoing speculation, South Africa and the UAE have been mentioned as potential alternative venues should the ICC decide to move the tournament out of Pakistan.
