The cricketing world is abuzz with anticipation as Pakistan gears up to host the Champions Trophy in 2025. However, amidst the excitement, clouds of uncertainty loom over the hosting scenario due to the political tensions between Pakistan and neighbouring cricket heavyweight India.
Earlier this year, India declined to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup due to the tournament’s hybrid model, with Sri Lanka hosting the majority of matches, including the final. The refusal sparked concerns and raised questions about India’s potential participation in future events hosted by Pakistan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has conveyed to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that they are willing to sign the hosting agreement for the Champions Trophy 2025. However, there’s a crucial condition attached: compensation if India refuses to travel to Pakistan, citing political and security reasons.
As of now, the ICC has not finalized the hosting agreement with the PCB, leaving a lingering uncertainty about the fate of the tournament. Pakistan’s designation as the host by the governing body adds complexity to the negotiations.
PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf and COO Salman Naseer engaged with the ICC executive board in Ahmedabad to discuss the hosting arrangements for the Champions Trophy in February-March 2025. The discussions revolved around the potential challenges posed by India’s reluctance to play in Pakistan.
“Pakistani officials discussed the probability of the Indian board (BCCI) again refusing to send its team to Pakistan and made it clear that in any given situation, the ICC must avoid taking unilateral decisions on the tournament,” the source said.
PCB officials emphasized the need for an independent security agency to assess the security situation if India refuses to play in Pakistan. The agency, in collaboration with the Pakistan government and security officials, would ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the safety conditions for all participating teams, including India.
In a bold move, the PCB insisted that if India opts out and matches are relocated to another country, the ICC should compensate Pakistan for the logistical and financial implications. The board cited the successful hosting of top teams in Pakistan in recent years without security concerns as a basis for their demand.
“The PCB officials said many top teams had toured Pakistan in the last two years without any security concerns. They also made it clear that in case of India not sending its team and its matches being moved to another country, then the ICC must compensate Pakistan for this,” the source added.
Given the strained relations between the governments of Pakistan and India, the PCB highlighted the high probability of India backing out of playing in Pakistan on security and political grounds. This acknowledgement underscores the delicate balance that cricket administrators navigate in a region marked by geopolitical complexities.
“The BCCI representative maintained that any call on India playing in Pakistan in 2025 would only be taken by their government, and they were bound to follow the decision,” he said.
