ISLAMABAD: As the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed India’s refusal not to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the government is reportedly weighing a strong response including a boycott of all future matches.
The Express Tribune, citing government sources, reported that Pakistan could refuse to play against India in any future tournaments if India follows through on its withdrawal.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board has received an email from the ICC (International Cricket Council), stating that the Indian board has informed them that their team will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025,” PCB spokesman Sami Ul Hasan told AFP.
“The PCB has forwarded that email to the government of Pakistan for their advice and guidance,” Hasan added.
The Express Tribune reported that the government is determined to stand firm on this issue, with plans to urge the ICC to hold the entire Champions Trophy exclusively in Pakistan, rejecting the idea of a hybrid model that would split the tournament between multiple venues.
The PCB has taken a strong stance, with one official stating, “We are ready to challenge India’s position on every platform and defend our position vigorously.”
Officials have emphasised that Pakistan has consistently provided a secure environment for Indian teams in the past, and there is no valid reason for India to refuse participation this time. “Stadiums are being prepared, and security arrangements are robust. If India pulls out, it will be purely a political decision,” one source said.
Pakistan is due to host the eight-nation event in three cities — Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi — from February 19 to March 9 next year, but the final schedule is hanging in the balance with India yet to confirm its participation.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had previously ruled out the possibility of a hybrid event that would have seen India play all its matches at neutral venues in the United Arab Emirates.
“Pakistan has shown great gestures to India in the past, and we’d like to say clearly that India shouldn’t expect such friendly gestures from us every time,” Naqvi said in Lahore on Saturday.
“The government will decide if Pakistan will travel for any future event in India if they don’t come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The PCB will not decide that.”
The ICC was set to release the Champions Trophy schedule this week, but the latest standoff will likely delay that announcement.
Bitter Rivalry
The Champions Trophy is the premier ODI competition after the World Cup, with the upcoming event featuring Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa. Monday marks the 100-day countdown to the event.
Any cricket match between the two is among the most-watched events on the global sporting calendar. Pakistan visited India for last year’s ODI World Cup, and the PCB expected the gesture to be reciprocated for the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan was forced to stage last year’s Asia Cup using a hybrid model, with India playing their matches (in addition to the final) in Sri Lanka.
India and Pakistan have only faced off in ICC multi-nation events since their last bilateral series in the 2012-13 season. — AFP with input from The Express Tribune.
