The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly requesting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to officially provide a written declaration from the Indian government denying permission for the Indian men’s cricket team to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.
In recent developments, a BCCI representative stated that the Indian cricket team would not be traveling to Pakistan for the 2025 global event. Instead, the BCCI proposed a hybrid model which might involve hosting India’s matches in neutral venues such as Dubai or Sri Lanka. This sentiment was echoed by a PCB source, who emphasized the necessity for the BCCI to produce a formal letter from the Indian government. This letter should be submitted to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to clarify the situation.
“If the Indian government denies permission, it must be documented in writing. Additionally, it is obligatory for the BCCI to provide this letter to the ICC immediately,” the PCB source, who closely collaborates with the organizing committee, shared with PTI (Press Trust of India).
The PCB source elaborated further, stating, “We are firm in our position that the BCCI must inform the ICC about its travel plans to Pakistan at least 5-6 months ahead of the tournament, and it should be in written form.”
The ICC’s annual conference is slated to take place on July 19 in Colombo. Interestingly, the conference agenda does not include a discussion about India playing in the UAE under a ‘Hybrid model’. However, it is worth noting that the ICC has allocated additional funds to facilitate the tournament if it needs to be played across two different countries.
The BCCI, on its part, maintains that the ultimate decision regarding the Indian team’s travel to Pakistan rests with the Indian government. Reflecting on the recent Asia Cup 2023, the Indian team did not travel to Pakistan. Consequently, a hybrid model was adopted, with Sri Lanka hosting all of India’s matches along with a few others.
A senior BCCI official recently reaffirmed the Board’s stance regarding the ICC tournament. “India will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. We will inform the ICC to hold India’s matches in Dubai or Sri Lanka,” the official stated, as reported by ANI (Asian News International).
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Rajeev Shukla, BCCI’s vice-president, has also reiterated that the decision-making authority lies with the Indian government. In an earlier interaction with ANI, Shukla remarked, “When it comes to the Champions Trophy, we will adhere to the directives of the Government of India. We send our teams based on the government’s permission, and this situation is no different. We will follow the decision made by the Indian government.”
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to commence on February 19 in Karachi. In preparation, the PCB has submitted a draft schedule to the ICC, designating all of India’s matches, including potential semi-finals and the final, to be held in Lahore. Among these fixtures, the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan match is marked for March 1, according to the draft.
As the clock ticks closer to the event, the PCB’s stance is becoming increasingly clear. They insist on acquiring documented proof from the BCCI regarding the Indian government’s position on the travel restrictions. This demand aims to ensure transparency and accountability, facilitating smoother discussions with the ICC and other stakeholders.
Additionally, the PCB’s insistence on written communication underscores a broader objective: safeguarding the integrity of the tournament and ensuring that all participating teams are on the same page well ahead of the event.
The coming months will be crucial as the cricket boards, ICC, and respective governments engage in discussions and negotiations to cement their plans for one of cricket’s most awaited tournaments. The outcome will undoubtedly have significant ramifications for the cricketing ties between India and Pakistan and the overall structure of international cricket tournaments.
While the PCB continues to press for clarity, the BCCI’s approach remains cautious, emphasizing governmental protocols and international diplomacy. How these dynamics unfold will be a story to watch in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy 2025.
