The Indian cricket team has reportedly refused to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Pakistan were given the hosting rights for the 2025 Champions Trophy, with the tournament making a comeback after eight years. It is the first ICC event to be held in Pakistan since it shared the 1996 ODI World Cup alongside India and Sri Lanka.
With preparations in full swing for the event scheduled for February next year, the PCB faced a jolt after reports emerged that the BCCI had informed the ICC about their refusal to travel to the country.
Why will India not go to Pakistan?
According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, the ICC has informed PCB that the Indian government has advised the Indian team to not send the team over to the neighbouring country. The two nations have been involved in long-standing political tensions, which has seen their meetings being limited to ICC events.
The last bilateral meeting between the two teams was in 2012-13 when Pakistan toured India for ODIs and T20Is. India have not gone to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup. They recently refused to tour Pakistan for the 2022 Asia Cup, preferring to play their games in Sri Lanka, with the tournament being played out using a hybrid model.
Then, the PCB issued a stern warning to India after they refused to tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup, saying it could impact Pakistan's visit to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The men’s and women’s Pakistan teams, however, have visited India several times since then to play in various World Cups, the most recent being last year.
Recently, India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar travelled to Islamabad, to meet the Pakistan prime minister and foreign minister. It was the first time in nine years that India’s foreign minister was visiting the country, creating buzz about a possible participation in the Champions Trophy.
However, that is unlikely to be.
What happens next?
In the immediate future, the ICC alongside the PCB will need to activate a contingency plan to accommodate India in the competition. A hybrid model is likely to be adopted, with teams going back and forth between Pakistan and a second venue. However, PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi, also Pakistan’s interior minister, has ruled out using a hybrid model.
In the next two years, India will host two more ICC events – the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025 and the Men’s T20 World Cup a year later. While Pakistan have played games in ICC events in India over the last decade, the recent decision could impact their decision to go over for the two upcoming tournaments.
If the PCB remain firm on rejecting the hybrid model, it could lead to a standoff with the BCCI, putting the ICC in a difficult position. Concerns may arise over allocating future events to Pakistan, as India’s potential withdrawal could result in significant revenue losses.
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