PCB Seeks Government Guidance Following India’s Decision
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced that India’s cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025. This confirmation comes shortly after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that the host nation would not accept a “hybrid model” for hosting matches involving India.
In a statement released on Sunday, a PCB spokesperson revealed that the board received an email from the ICC indicating that the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) had communicated its refusal to send the team to Pakistan for the tournament scheduled for February and March 2025. The PCB has since sought the “advice and guidance” of the Pakistani government regarding this situation.
Naqvi expressed the PCB’s stance, emphasizing that they require any objections from India in writing. He noted, “In the last two months, the Indian media has been reporting that India isn’t travelling. I discussed this with them and my team, and our stance is clear.” Naqvi reiterated that there has been no discussion of a hybrid model, and the PCB is not prepared to accept one.
The longstanding political tensions between India and Pakistan have led to India’s government prohibiting its cricket team from traveling to Pakistan for many years. The last time India visited Pakistan for a bilateral series was in early 2006, and since then, the two teams have only faced each other in multi-team events. Their last bilateral series occurred in December 2012 and January 2013 when Pakistan toured India.
While India declined to travel to Pakistan, it did participate in the ICC Cricket World Cup held in India in October and November 2023, playing all its matches in the host country. A PCB source indicated that all cricketing nations, except India, have been supportive of Pakistan’s efforts to host the Champions Trophy, highlighting the positive feedback received from players who have visited Pakistan for international matches and the Pakistan Super League.
The Champions Trophy 2025 will mark the first ICC event hosted by Pakistan since it co-hosted the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. The PCB is keen to showcase its capabilities and facilities for the tournament, which could potentially draw international fans and teams.