The Champions Trophy 2025 is set to make a return to the International Cricket Council (ICC) calendar of events after a seven-year absence. However, scheduling plans already threaten the competition’s success as hosts Pakistan may choose to withdraw from the tournament.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently received a letter from the ICC stating India’s reluctance to send players into Pakistan. Sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also confirm that the Men’s team will not be travelling to Pakistan.
Is This the First Time BCCI Officials Will Suggest a Hybrid Model?
It will be the second time in 2 years where BCCI officials will try to get a hybrid model before their team’s participation in a cricket tournament. BCCI officials got their request approved in 2023 when Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup. Team India played all their matches in Sri Lanka and the hybrid model slashed total games played in Pakistan from 13 to 4.
However, the current scenario is different since Champions Trophy cricket is an ICC event. It is yet to be seen how the ICC will handle brewing controversy over its position on hosting issues.
Will the Rumoured India vs Pakistan Bilateral Series Hold in 2025?
An unofficial agreement seemed to be in the works long before current deadlocked agreements involving BCCI, PCB, and the ICC. The rumoured agreement claimed to have finalized a bilateral series between India and Pakistan after next year’s Champions Trophy. However, all that talk of a series after CT 2025 involving both rivals seems to be on hold.
Neither side seems close to an agreement yet, and the current controversy could put future ICC tournaments in jeopardy.
Legal Consequences Could Handicap ICC
The ICC could get into a tight spot with advertisers as the CT 2025 draws closer. A source confirmed the international body could face legal challenges if current hosting controversies are not resolved soon:
“There would be legal implications from commercial partners as the ICC has provided undertakings to the broadcasters, sponsors that all top cricket playing nations will participate in its tournaments,” the source said.
Does Pakistan Have a Poor Record Hosting International Teams?
Pakistan has hosted several international teams in recent years without issues. However, the BCCI continues to insist that security challenges prevent their team from crossing the border.
Why Does the BCCI Keep Preventing Team India from Touring Pakistan?
Political tension between both countries is a major reason why Team India has not toured Pakistan in almost two decades. The Men in Blue has not been on a cross-border cricket tour into Pakistan since 2008.
Relations between both nations soured when India experienced a horrific terror attack orchestrated by groups based in Pakistan.
Pakistan Cricketer Believes PCB Should Agree to India’s Hybrid Model
Former Men in Green cricketer Danish Kaneria believes Pakistan’s cricket authorities should assent to the BCCI’s request for a hybrid model. The former leg-spinner believes Team India should not visit Pakistan ahead of the forthcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
Kaneria made his stance known during an interview where he shared comments on the brewing controversy involving affected cricket bodies. He believes India will not send its cricket team into Pakistan despite the PCB’s insistence. Kaneria advised the PCB to proceed with hosting without India if possible.
Backlash from fans after comment
Pakistan cricket fans were puzzled over Kaneria’s comments, with some sets of supporters resurrecting the bowler’s spot-fixing scandals after his post went viral. Kaneria is banned from playing county cricket after investigations found him guilty of spot-fixing as an Essex spinner.
However, Kaneria remains unfazed as he believes India’s reluctance to visit Pakistan is justified. He cites alleged mistreatment of Pakistani Hindu minorities as another reason why Team India is reluctant to visit their neighbours.
Kaneria suggests PCB accept an India vs Pakistan CT 2025 Game in Dubai
The former cricketer went ahead to call for an agreement that would see the CT 2025 games between both countries played in Dubai.
BCCI Secretary Criticises PCB’s Planned PoK Trophy Tour
Current BCCI Secretary and next ICC Chairman Jay Shah criticized the PCB’s decision to host a Champions Trophy tour in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The recent criticism adds more controversy to an already-challenging situation surrounding CT 2025.
A BCCI source anonymously confirmed the criticism from Shah after a PCB post highlighted locations in PoK for the upcoming tour:
“BCCI secretary Shah has objected to the PCB’s idea to hold a Champions Trophy tour in PoK. The BCCI has no problem if the tour is conducted in any other city of Pakistan or even in a stadium outside PoK or in a mall. But they cannot hold it in PoK,” the source said.
