KARACHI: According to official sources who spoke to Dawn on Sunday, Pakistan may not participate in the ICC Champions Trophy next year if the nation is denied the opportunity to host the competition following India’s refusal to cross the border.
The matter was sent “to the Government of Pakistan for their advice and guidance” after a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson confirmed that same day that the board had “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 International Cricket Council (ICC) may suggest moving the tournament entirely to another nation after PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi ruled out the idea of a “hybrid model,” in which India would play their matches at a neutral location while the rest of the tournament is held in Pakistan.
According to a source, the federal government was considering the matter “seriously.” “In such a case, one of the options the government is mulling is that of asking the PCB to ensure Pakistan don’t participate in the Champions Trophy,” the source added.
Speaking to reporters Friday, Mohsin had stated that the PCB shouldn’t be expected to “carry on with their good gestures,” referring to Pakistan’s accommodation of the Indian government’s position that their cricket team shouldn’t travel to the neighboring nation.
Sources claim that a similar narrative is prevalent at the federal government’s offices, where Mohsin serves as Pakistan’s interior minister.
Dawn is aware that unless problems between India and Pakistan are resolved at the governmental level, the government may request that the PCB decline to play against India in any ICC or Asian Cricket Council competitions.
The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has maintained the Indian government’s stance of not playing bilateral cricket with Pakistan over the years, despite political difficulties between the two neighbors.
However, Pakistan and India have participated in ICC events and the Asia Cup since their most recent bilateral series in 2012. In actuality, Pakistan traveled to India last year to compete in the ICC World Cup.
If anything, the visit raised hopes that India would repay the favor by visiting Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, which will take place from February 19 to March 9 of the following year in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.
In response to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, which Pakistan hosted last year, the PCB adopted a “hybrid model,” in which Rohit Sharma’s team played its matches in Sri Lanka and only four of the tournament’s games—aside from the final—were held in Pakistan.
