Amid ongoing diplomatic strains, Pakistan may withdraw from hosting or even participating in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy after India’s refusal to cross the border for the tournament. Following confirmation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the ICC of its team’s decision not to travel, the PCB has formally consulted Pakistan’s federal government for advice on the situation.
The PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has dismissed the “hybrid model” option, where India’s matches would be held in a neutral country while the remainder would take place in Pakistan. With the ICC now evaluating a full relocation, Pakistan’s government is considering various responses, including a boycott of the tournament if it is moved outside the country, according to Dawn.
PCB firm against repeated concessions
During a press briefing, Mohsin Naqvi expressed Pakistan’s reluctance to continue yielding to India’s stance, referencing Pakistan’s past flexibility, such as hosting a hybrid Asia Cup where India’s matches were played in Sri Lanka. Pakistan has made multiple concessions in recent years, but according to Naqvi, this pattern may no longer be sustainable if India’s opposition to playing on Pakistani soil persists.
“We cannot be expected to carry on with good gestures unilaterally,” said Naqvi, emphasising that PCB is losing patience with the repeated compromises required to facilitate India’s participation in regional tournaments. Government officials, echoing this sentiment, are reportedly examining the feasibility of refusing matches against India in future ICC or Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournaments until both nations reach an understanding at the diplomatic level.
Government support to PCB position
PCB’s decision is backed by significant political support, as the federal government reviews the issue with a serious approach. According to sources, the Pakistani government may ultimately advise the PCB to skip the Champions Trophy altogether if the tournament is moved elsewhere, thereby signalling Pakistan’s frustration with what it perceives as India’s unilateral influence over cricketing decisions.
The Pakistani government may consider broadening this stance by requesting the PCB to avoid future ICC or ACC matches against India unless diplomatic progress is made. Sources say that the Ministry of Interior, of which PCB Chairman Naqvi is also a part, favours this response, interpreting India’s refusal as a stance beyond sportsmanship and closer to a politically-driven decision.
History of Cricket and Politics Between India and Pakistan
India and Pakistan last played a bilateral cricket series in 2012, and relations between their cricket boards have since been strained, primarily due to political disagreements. Despite tensions, the two teams have continued to face off in international tournaments. Most recently, Pakistan participated in the ICC World Cup in India, raising expectations for India to reciprocate by attending the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
India’s firm refusal to participate in the 2025 Champions Trophy if held in Pakistan, however, is reminiscent of their stance in last year’s Asia Cup, where Pakistan was compelled to adopt a hybrid model. That arrangement saw the Indian team playing their matches in Sri Lanka, with Pakistan hosting only a few games.
ICC caught in Middle as ICC Champions Trophy 2025 nears
The ICC faces a complex dilemma with the ICC Champions Trophy only a few months away. If the tournament is shifted from Pakistan, it may risk further diplomatic fallout between the two cricketing giants. Yet, the option of organising it within Pakistan under India’s proposed hybrid model seems unlikely, given the PCB’s reluctance to compromise.
With venues in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi planned to host the event from February 19 to March 9 next year, the fate of the Champions Trophy hangs in the balance as the ICC, PCB, and Pakistan’s government weigh their options.
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