Pakistan Cricket Board seeks advice from its government after India’s refusal to cross the border is confirmed.
India’s cricket team will not be making the trip to Pakistan for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025, as confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). This announcement follows remarks made by the PCB chairman, who indicated that the host nation would not accept a “hybrid model” for hosting matches against its cross-border rivals.
A spokesperson for the PCB stated on Sunday that they had received an email from the ICC, which conveyed that the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) had notified them of India’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. The PCB, scheduled to host the event in February and March, has also sought the “advice and guidance” of the Pakistani government regarding this matter.
This decision comes shortly after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed that the host nation would not conduct any matches outside its borders if India chose not to participate in the tournament.
“In recent months, Indian media has been reporting that India will not travel. I have discussed this with my team, and our position is clear: they must provide us with any objections in writing,” Naqvi stated to reporters on Friday. “To date, there has been no discussion regarding the hybrid model, nor are we willing to accept one. Almost every other country is eager for the Champions Trophy to be held here.”
Naqvi further mentioned that he remains in contact with several cricket boards, all of which are looking forward to participating in the tournament. He emphasized that this should not be politicized and assured that every team would receive ample facilities. He also expressed a desire to see international fans attend the event.
For many years, the Indian government has prohibited the national cricket team from traveling to Pakistan due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations. India has not played in Pakistan since 2008, and the two teams only compete against each other in multi-team tournaments. Their last bilateral series took place in December 2012 and January 2013, when Pakistan visited India for a white-ball series, with India’s last visit to Pakistan for a bilateral commitment occurring in early 2006.
Pakistan traveled to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup held in October and November 2023, participating in all matches within the host country.
A source from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) informed Al Jazeera in July that all nations, with the exception of India, were “supportive and encouraging” regarding Pakistan’s bid to host the tournament.
“The PCB chairman engaged with heads of cricket boards in Barbados prior to the T20 World Cup final, discussing Pakistan’s preparations for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy,” the source stated.
“Six out of the seven countries have shown support and encouragement, as their teams have previously visited Pakistan and have gained firsthand insights into the country’s capabilities and efforts to host events.”
“The boards have also received feedback from players who have participated in international matches and the Pakistan Super League.“
Pakistan secured victory in the last Champions Trophy in 2017, triumphing over their longstanding rivals in the final held in London, United Kingdom.
The Champions Trophy 2025 will mark the first ICC event hosted by Pakistan since it co-hosted the 1996 World Cup alongside India and Sri Lanka.
While Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year, the champion, India, conducted all their matches in Sri Lanka under a “hybrid model.”
At that time, India indicated that they had not obtained permission from their government to travel to Pakistan.
