Champions Trophy debacle: PCB reaches out to Pak government for directives as India refuses to travel

For the past few weeks, speculation regarding the future of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 has been rife. The focus has been mostly centered on the ongoing tussle between PCB and BCCI as the Indian government stands firmly opposed to sending its cricket team to Pakistan. Out of eight participating teams, India is the only team that willfully wants to refrain from traveling to Pakistan citing "security reasons". The Indian team last toured Pakistan during the 2008 Asia Cup right before the tragic terror attacks in Mumbai which claimed countless lives.

Relations since the in-famous terror attack have been sour and the bilateral cricketing ties have plummeted to an all-time low. Very recently, right before the release of the official Champions Trophy schedule, the BCCI blatantly refused to tour Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and has also issued a formal communication to the ICC about the same. This puts PCB in a difficult situation who are reportedly taking all possible measures to host its first major ICC event since 1996. 

How did the PCB respond to BCCI's denial to travel Pakistan? 

As soon as BCCI's decision was conveyed to the ICC, it was learnt that the PCB had reportedly referred the matter to its government which is currently reviewing this highly sensitive situation. Previously, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed that his board is unwilling to make any compromises and quashed any hopes of adopting a hybrid model unless a written explanation is issued by the Indian government. 

As per a PCB spokesperson, the ICC had communicated this news to the PCB via email on Friday but a formal reason for India's omission was missing. 

"The ICC emailed the PCB informing them about the inability of the BCCI to send its team to Pakistan. No reason was given. There is nothing in writing we have received from the BCCI. The PCB has apprised the federal government of the situation."

Unlike last year's Asia Cup where the PCB gave in to India's "hybrid model" approach, the stance will be a lot more stringent by the PCB. And since Naqvi is also part of Pakistan's interior ministry, the stance can be viewed as representative of the government in this case. As per sources, the Pakistan government will advise the PCB to remain resolute in this matter and work with the governing bodies to host the Champions Trophy successfully in Pakistan. 

How will ICC respond amidst the political standoff between the two boards?

As the countdown for the much-anticipated Champions Trophy draws close, ICC will have a little under 100 days to finalize the future and the outcome of the tournament. As cricketing ties continue to get impacted amidst worsening geopolitical ties between the two nations, ICC now finds itself in a tight situation. Picking either side in a situation like this can invite consequences that the ICC may not be able to ascertain at this stage. Both Naqvi and jay Shah have close ties to their respective head of states. The situation will not become any simpler when Shah takes over as the ICC chair, on December 1.