The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed receiving a letter from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about India’s decision to not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. And the tournament could now be snowballing into a major crisis.
The BCCI mail was sent last week to the International Cricket Council (ICC) which formally forwarded it to the PCB. A spokesman for the PCB confirmed receiving it, stating. “The PCB has received an email from the ICC, stating that the BCCI has informed them that their team will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The PCB has forwarded that email to the Government of Pakistan for their advice and guidance.”
Although it has only recently been officially confirmed, the BCCI’s stance vis-a-vis playing in Pakistan has long been known to both the ICC and the global cricket community at large – its letter is on the expected lines. The big question now is: what next? Will the ICC and PCB revert to the hybrid model, holding India’s matches in the UAE?
That seems an overly simplistic solution to a complex issue involving deep-rooted acrimony, tension and perennial diplomatic standoff between two countries who have fought wars. Given the history of India-Pakistan relations, whether this issue has been handled properly by the ICC is open to debate. The ICC could have been more proactive, felt a key official involved in the conduct of the Champions Trophy.
While approving the CT budget, provisions were made for partial relocation of matches but that looks unacceptable to the PCB. Its chief Mohsin Naqvi has said in as many words. “No discussions have been held regarding a hybrid model as of today, and we are not ready to discuss such a model,” Naqvi told reporters recently in Lahore last week. Those comments may be indicative of a serious situation unfolding.
For now, the PCB intends to engage with the ICC, seeking clarity on the matter. Simultaneously, it will also seek advice from the authorities within the country. A lot will understandably depend on the response of the Pakistan government. For the record, Naqvi himself is a minister in the Pakistan government.
The ICC called off an event, scheduled for Monday (November 11), when it would have announced the schedule. It would have also marked the 100-day countdown to the February 19-March 19 championship. What lies ahead is not explicitly clear, but a crisis may be looming.
