In the wake of reports that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had warned the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about its purported refusal to have the word “Pakistan” printed as part of the tournament logo on its team’s Champions Trophy kits, the BCCI on Wednesday confirmed that it complies with all uniform-related regulations.
From February 19 to March 9, Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy.
Indian news agency Press Trust of India reported that Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the Indian cricket board, stated that the BCCI would adhere to all uniform-related ICC regulations during the Champions Trophy.
According to Indian media source NDTV, the BCCI received a “firm message” from the ICC regarding the purported reluctance to print Pakistan on its kits, as reported by public broadcaster PTV earlier today.
Each team is in charge of putting the tournament’s logo on their uniforms. According to an ICC official quoted by NDTV, “all teams are required to comply with this rule.”
According to PTV, the ICC dismissed the Indian board’s argument that, as part of its host nation rule, it did not want Pakistan to be mentioned on its team uniform.
Since Pakistan was the tournament’s original host, the Indian board has actually been instructed by the ICC to ensure that the Indian team’s uniforms bear the word “Pakistan,” according to PTV.
Since a team led by Misbahul Haq visited India for a white-ball series in 2012–13, India has not played any bilateral cricket with Pakistan because of political tensions between the two countries.
In the meanwhile, Pakistani teams have been visiting India for various ICC competitions, but no Indian team has visited Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.
With the approval of the BCCI and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the ICC has selected a two-way hybrid format to accommodate India in the eight-nation Champions Trophy. This approach will see all of India’s Champions Trophy matches held in Dubai.
In keeping with the same principle, the Green Shirts will not go to India for any ICC tournament in the future where India will host Pakistan’s matches in a neutral location.
The Indian team’s and skipper Rohit Sharma’s plans to travel to Pakistan to attend the Champions Trophy opening ceremony were questioned last week.
As it invited the media for a tour of stadiums in Lahore and Karachi on Monday, the PCB allayed concerns regarding the venues’ preparedness for this year’s Champions Trophy.