INDIA has decided against sending its national cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 for security reasons and it has made an already complicated relation between the two neighbours worse. India proposed a ‘hybrid’ plan where the Men in Blue would play all their matches in Dubai but it was rejected by the hosts.
As per Pakistan’s Geo News, India’s decision could lead to deep repercussions as Pakistan are prepared to withdraw from facing India in any international competition. India have formally communicated its wish to host the Olympic Games in 2036 but the report said that Islamabad will be trying to disrupt it.
PCB to seek clarification from ICC
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will also seek clarification from the International Cricket Council (ICC) over hosting the tournament since they have only been told that India will not travel to Pakistan and there was no intimation on the proposed hybrid model.
The PCB was informed by the ICC that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will not send its team to Pakistan after the decision was conveyed to the top governing body.
Sources: PCB will clearly ask ICC to NOT keep India & Pakistan in the same group for ANY ICC event in future, including 2025 Champions Trophy. Pakistan DO NOT want to play against India until India agrees to visit Pakistan. Broadcasters are now in deep trouble
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 12, 2024
Sources: PCB will clearly ask ICC to NOT keep India & Pakistan in the same group for ANY ICC event in future, including 2025 Champions Trophy. Pakistan DO NOT want to play against India until India agrees to visit Pakistan. Broadcasters are now in deep trouble
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 12, 2024
A well-placed source in the PCB said there was no talk about having the Champions Trophy on a hybrid model system as of now.
A hybrid model was used during the Asia Cup last year organised by Pakistan. India’s matches were held in Sri Lanka while others were held in Pakistan. The final, which featured India and Sri Lanka, was organized in the island-state. Pakistan, however, travelled to India for the 50-over World Cup soon after.
The Champions Trophy, one of the ICC’s top tournaments, was last held in England in 2017 and Pakistan won it defeating India in the final.
The PCB source said the situation was being assessed by the board and that it was in touch with the Pakistani government for consultations and directives if necessary.
On Monday, November 11, Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported that the country might withdraw from the Champions Trophy in case it was stripped of the hosting rights after India refused to travel.
It may be mentioned here that Jay Shah, secretary of the BCCI, will take over as the chairman of the ICC on December 1.
India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series in 2012 which happened in India. They have competed in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup. The last time the two teams played in a Test series was in 2007-08.
(With agency inputs)
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