India Won’t Travel to Pakistan for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India will not be traveling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as per reports on Sunday. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has acknowledged this decision and forwarded the ICC’s email to the Government of Pakistan for further guidance and instructions.

A PCB spokesperson confirmed the development, stating:
“The PCB has received an official email from the ICC, informing them that the BCCI has decided not to send their team to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The PCB has forwarded this email to the Government of Pakistan for their advice and next steps.”

This decision follows earlier reports that the BCCI had informed the PCB of its non-travel stance and preferred a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy. The hybrid model would involve India playing their matches in a neutral location, much like the Asia Cup 2023, which saw India play all its matches in Sri Lanka. However, PCB Chairperson Mohsin Naqvi denied the hybrid model discussions earlier this week, emphasizing that no formal talks had occurred.

“Until now, no one has discussed the ‘Hybrid Model’ with us, nor are we interested in discussing it,” Naqvi told reporters on Friday. “We have shown goodwill in the past, and it should not be expected from us continually.”

The ICC’s official communication now forces the PCB to address the matter with the Pakistan government. Naqvi stated that any official correspondence regarding India’s participation would be shared with the government, and the PCB would follow their decision. “Once we receive anything in writing from the ICC regarding India’s stance, I will present it to the government, then share it with the media,” he added.

India and Pakistan have long been marquee rivals in global cricket, and their matchups in ICC tournaments are highly anticipated. However, due to ongoing political tensions, India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The last time the two teams played a bilateral series was in 2012 when Pakistan toured India for a white-ball series.

Given the history of tensions between the two countries, it is uncertain whether the hybrid model will continue in future ICC events or whether the UAE and Sri Lanka will become preferred co-hosts for India’s matches. The PCB and the Pakistani government’s response to this situation will likely shape the way forward.

While the future of the hybrid model remains in question, the Asia Cup 2023 served as a precedent for how India’s matches could be played in a neutral venue while Pakistan hosts the rest of the teams. The key now lies in how the PCB and the Pakistani government handle the ICC’s communication and their stance on hosting future events.

Image Credits: News24

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