Team is unlikely to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025. What are the other options for ICC in that case?
In recent revelations, it has been widely reported across various media platforms that Team India is likely to abstain from participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, slated to be hosted in Pakistan. This decision is rooted in the longstanding and deeply fraught geopolitical relationship between India and Pakistan, which has impacted bilateral sporting engagements over the years.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the governing body of cricket in India, has indicated its intention to request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to consider hosting matches in a hybrid format, possibly in neutral venues such as Dubai or Sri Lanka, instead of Pakistan.
Historical context and bilateral relations
The diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have been tumultuous for a long time. The two countries have fought several wars and engaged in numerous border skirmishes, leading to deep-seated mistrust and animosity. Sports, particularly cricket, which is immensely popular in both nations, have often been caught in the crossfire of these political tensions.
The last time India visited Pakistan for a bilateral series was in 2008. The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan took place in India from December 2012 to January 2013. Since then, all cricketing encounters between the two nations have been restricted to multilateral tournaments like the ICC events and the Asia Cup. This restriction is primarily due to security concerns raised by the Indian government, which has advised against travelling to Pakistan without explicit clearance.
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BCCI's Stand
According to BCCI sources, India will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 and will tell the ICC to hold its matches in Dubai or Sri Lanka. This assertion comes under the BCCI's adherence to governmental directives on matters of national security and diplomatic relations. The board has consistently maintained that the decision to participate in international tournaments held in Pakistan is contingent upon clearance from the Government of India.
Rajeev Shukla, Vice President of the BCCI, reiterated this position, stating, "In the case of the Champion Trophy, we will do whatever the Government of India will tell us to do. We send our team only when the Government of India gives us permission.”
Pakistan's Defiant Response
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has vehemently asserted its commitment to hosting the entire ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan as planned. The board has selected Lahore as the sole venue for India's matches, citing logistical convenience for fans crossing the Wagah border and minimising travel for the team. According to the Pakistan media, the organisers wanted to ensure that the India team would not have to travel or cross venues to play the matches. They will be based only in one city and avoid travel hassles.
Furthermore, the PCB has expressed opposition to any proposed changes to the tournament format, including the introduction of a hybrid model that would involve matches being held in neutral venues. Such proposals were expected to be discussed during the ICC's annual conference in Colombo, where the PCB intended to challenge them vigorously.
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Potential Ramifications
The potential implications of India's absence from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are significant, both in terms of logistical arrangements and financial considerations for the ICC. India, being a major cricketing powerhouse and a significant contributor to the tournament's revenue through viewership and sponsorship, holds considerable sway over the economic success of such events. A decision by India to boycott the tournament could lead to substantial financial losses for the ICC and impact the overall viability of the championship.
Reports indicate that the PCB has also raised the stakes by threatening to boycott the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to be hosted in India, if the BCCI does not permit the team to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
What if India opts out?
The BCCI is, hence, likely to request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to hold the tournament in either Sri Lanka or the UAE, much like what was proposed for the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup. However, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had accepted a hybrid model with Pakistan and Sri Lanka jointly hosting the tournament, where India played all their matches in the island country.
With the Indian government unlikely to take the risk, BCCI's hopes rest on the ICC's decision. However, if the apex body expresses its unwillingness to change the tournament's venue, India might pull out of the Champions Trophy.
If India don't participate, Sri Lanka will replace Rohit Sharma's men in the competition. The 2002 champions missed the cut after finishing ninth in the 2023 ODI World Cup points table in the group stage. It is also the first time Sri Lanka did not qualify for the tournament.
Though a formal discussion on the BCCI's proposal hasn't been held yet, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) might not have many options but to agree to the Indian board's demands. But, in a case they remain hell-bent on hosting all of the marches in Pakistan, India can decide to pull out of the tournament over security concerns, as getting the government's nod is quite unlikely.
It will be of extreme interest to see how the administrators of India, Pakistan and ICC will address the issue and what will be the response of the governments, particularly India's.
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