Team India might not travel to Pakistan for next year’s Champions Trophy, after all. A hybrid model, that was followed during the Asia Cup 2023, looks the more likely option, as the team’s visit to Pakistan cannot be decided by the ICC, as per a source.
While the CT is not the agenda for ICC’s current meeting, but PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed interest in speaking with his BCCI counterparts, to get some assurance. But an ICC board member privy to the development said, that any decision will be taken closer to the event.
“Every member can raise concerns for discussion at Board meetings and then it would go to a vote. But if the government (of a member nation) expressly say that they can’t play there, ICC would need to look for an alternative,” a veteran administrator said.
“….because ICC Board’s position remains that it doesn’t expect its members to go against any policy/instructions issued by its own government,” he said.
India Might Not go to Pakistan, May Opt for UAE Instead
“Don’t forget threat perception for an Indian cricket team would always be higher compared to Australia, England and New Zealand,” said a former BCCI office-bearer said.
Meanwhile, the Indian Davis Cup team travelled to Islamabad in Feb this year, but it’s needless to say, that the stakes are higher for the cricket team. “The BCCI would obviously be compelled to look at it from the point of view that Pakistan government allowed its team to play in the World Cup in India last year.
“So, this being a global event and not a continental one like Asia Cup, the Indian government might take a softer stance. BCCI president Roger Binny and VP Rajiv Shukla had travelled to Pakistan during the Asia Cup,” hoped the ICC board member.
