ICC Champions Trophy: PCB seeks clarification on India’s refusal to travel

Mumbai: In response to a letter from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 ODI Champions Trophy, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written back seeking further clarification on the issue.

“The PCB has responded to last week’s ICC letter seeking clarification on BCCI’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy,” a PCB spokesperson said.

While the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has cited security reasons, PCB is understood to want India to provide further explanation so that they can further contest the case. While ICC and BCCI have not said anything publicly, it is internally understood that BCCI’s position will not change. To continue hosting the tournament, the viable option for PCB would be to accept the tournament in a hybrid model, where India will play its matches at a neutral venue (the UAE is the leader) and the rest of the matches will be held in Pakistan .

There are media reports in Pakistan suggesting that PCB is considering taking a tough stance and withdrawing from the tournament. But that is seen as nothing but public posturing within BCCI circles. If PCB plays hard, the option of taking the entire tournament away from Pakistan is also among the unforeseen options for ICC.

Following a dip in diplomatic ties between the two countries, the Indian men’s team has not traveled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.

Meanwhile, the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) is awaiting approval from the Ministry of External Affairs to participate in the T20 World Cup for the Blind, scheduled to take place in Pakistan from November 22. The Indian squad was announced after receiving an NOC from the union sports ministry on November 4.