Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided not to cave in to neutral venue demands after reports of India not sending its team for the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan emerged. The cricket governing body has reportedly also requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to issue their no-show statement in writing to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
While nothing has been stated officially yet, many reports and rumors point towards the Indian Board not being ready to send the national team to Pakistan.
Why is PCB not going with a hybrid model this time?
Although the hybrid model was earlier backed for the Asia Cup in 2023 by the PCB, Pakistan have clarified that they do not intend to go down the same road this time. Apparently, the hybrid model did Pakistan more harm than good with huge losses due to constant traveling to and from Sri Lanka, the second venue as per the model.
Hosting the matches in a different country did not prove to be an easy job for PCB as well since rain washed several matches out, denying the board any gate money. Moreover, this model, with frequent traveling, was mentally and physically draining for the players.
What will happen if India really back out of the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan?
Rajeev Shukla, vice-president of the BCCI, left the decision of sending the team to Pakistan to the Indian government, denying to comment any further on the matter himself. He was quoted as saying,
“In the case of the Champion Trophy, we will do whatever the Government of India will tell us to do. We send our team only when the Government of India permits us to do so. So we will go according to the decision of the Indian government.”
This situation brings ICC to a stalemate and is likely to be discussed during the annual meeting in Colombo scheduled to take place from 19th to 22nd July. In case, the Indian team fails to make it to Pakistan for the mega-event, Sri Lanka will replace them having not qualified directly for the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.
In addition to that, PCB has threatened to pull out of the 2026 T20 World Cup which is scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. This will also be pretty detrimental for future mega-events hosted by either country.
‘Have it in writing’
A source from within the PCB has been reported to have demanded a written refusal by the Indian government, in case India flake the tournament. The source also demanded confirmation from the Indian board at least 6 months before the start of the tournament.
“If the Indian government declines permission, it has to be in writing and it is mandatory on the BCCI to provide that letter to the ICC now,” the PCB source from within the organizing committee said
The PCB source also said
“It is a fact that we are insistent that the BCCI must inform the ICC about its travel plans to Pakistan at least 5-6 months before the tournament and in writing,”
What happens next?
The power lies with the ICC. For the sake of the game we all love, the complete tournament must take place on the soil of the rightful hosts, Pakistan. If the governing body fails to make that happen, this will further cement the terrible precedent that has been feeding upon the sanctity of the sport for quite some time now. A dying game can not afford such nuisances to keep on growing unchecked. A nuisance the ICC is well aware of but can not get rid of even if it tries. Unless, of course, it’s for the survival of the game–which, this time, it is.
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