The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to clarify India’s decision to refuse a visit to the neighbouring country for the Champions Trophy 2025.
The upcoming ninth edition of the Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan in the February-March window in 2025, however, India’s participation in the tournament is uncertain.
Previously, reports emerged in Indian media, citing a source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), that Team India will not be visiting Pakistan for the tournament citing security concerns.
However, on Sunday, sources confirmed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that the Indian government is not ready to allow their cricket team to travel to Pakistan.
In response, the PCB has been considering different options at the moment, with a possibility of them opting out of the tournament completely in case of a hybrid model, sources reported.
Pakistan had previously rejected the option of a hybrid arrangement that would allow India to play their matches at neutral venues, for example in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“The PCB has responded to last week’s ICC letter seeking clarifications for the Indian Board’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for next year’s Champions Trophy,” Sami-Ul-Hasan told AFP.
Deteriorating political ties have meant the bitter rivals have not played a bilateral cricket series for over a decade — squaring off only in ICC multi-nation events.
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Pakistani media reported on Tuesday that the PCB would be unwilling to accept security reasons for India’s refusal to visit.
New Zealand have toured Pakistan three times in the past two years, with England visiting twice and Australia once in the same period.
Pakistan also visited India for last year’s ODI World Cup and the PCB had expected the gesture to be reciprocated for the Champions Trophy.
“Almost every country wants the tournament to be played in Pakistan and it will be disappointing if they don’t come,” Naqvi, who is also the interior minister, said last week.
“I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter. We’ll give every team as many facilities as we can.”
Naqvi said Pakistan would consider pulling out of events in India as a response.
“Pakistan has shown great gestures to India in the past, and we’d like to say clearly India shouldn’t expect such friendly gestures from us every time”.
India is due to host the women’s ODI World Cup and Asia Cup next year and will co-host the Twenty20 World Cup with Sri Lanka in 2026.
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