The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to boycott the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy if India refuses to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming tournament. According to a Cricbuzz report, the Pakistan Cricket Board might face severe financial repercussions if they decide to boycott the ICC tournament.
The ICC awarded the 2025 Champions Trophy to Pakistan. There have been concerns about India’s participation due to ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries. These political issues have now extended into the cricketing world, creating uncertainty around the ICC Champions Trophy.
India Will Not Travel to Pakistan for 2025 Champions Trophy, BCCI Informs ICC
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the ICC that the India national cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. On the other hand, the Pakistan Cricket Board remains determined to host the tournament in Pakistan after consulting with the government.
The PCB wants to host the Champions Trophy regardless of India’s participation. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has ruled out the idea of a hybrid model, which has led to speculation that Pakistan might withdraw from the tournament. The PCB aims to shed Pakistan’s image as an unsafe venue for cricket.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Could Lose $65 Million Hosting Fee and ICC Funding Cuts
According to a Cricbuzz report, the ongoing conflict between the PCB and BCCI has put the ICC in a difficult position. The report further added that the BCCI did not cite “security concerns” as the reason for not traveling to Pakistan. Meanwhile, the PCB is seeking more clarity from the ICC on the matter.
Pakistan could lose the $65 million hosting fee and face cuts to ICC funding if they withdraw from the upcoming tournament. However, the ICC has assured that the PCB would still receive the full hosting fee and retain most of the matches through a hybrid model while keeping its hosting rights.
We Have Not Spoken About Any Hybrid Model – Mohsin Naqvi
The chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that the board has not received any official communication from the BCCI about any issues. Speaking to reporters in Lahore, Naqvi stated that the Indian cricket board should provide them in writing.
“We have a clear stance that they must give it to us in writing if they [the Indian cricket board] have any issues. Till today, we have not spoken about any hybrid model, but we’re ready to speak on this,” Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore recently.
India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The two teams compete only in ICC events. Pakistan traveled to India for the T20 World Cup in 2016 and the ODI World Cup in 2023. Meanwhile, Pakistan had to host Asia Cup 2023 in a hybrid format with Sri Lanka as cohosts.
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