After India’s government announced that its cricket team would not be sent to Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reacted strongly. Led by Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB is now considering hosting next year’s Champions Trophy without India. Additionally, Pakistan may take a firm stance by opting not to play in any future tournaments involving India.
Reports from Pakistan’s government and PCB sources shared this news through local media. The ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled for February-March 2025 in Pakistan, was supposed to have its fixtures announced today. However, with India’s decision to avoid playing in Pakistan, the announcement has been postponed.
According to Sama TV, the PCB is exploring a “Minus India” formula for the upcoming Champions Trophy, due to India’s unyielding position on sending its team to Pakistan.
India’s cricket board, the BCCI, formally informed the ICC of its decision not to send its team to Pakistan. Following this, the ICC conveyed India’s stance to the PCB. Now, the PCB is considering informing the ICC of its own decision to organize the tournament without India.
The ICC is not only the global governing body for cricket but also the main authority over the Champions Trophy.
India has shown interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics, and last month, its government sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressing this interest. Pakistan has announced it will oppose this, as part of its stance against India.
Express Tribune reports, citing government sources, that Pakistan is likely to adopt a position of not playing cricket with India in any setting in the future. A source close to the government stance stated, “We will not play in any tournament with India unless they agree to come to Pakistan.”
A tournament without India or a future ban on India-Pakistan matchups could lead to financial losses for Pakistan, as a significant portion of the ICC’s revenue comes from the Indian market, including broadcast rights. However, PCB officials believe that boycotting matches against India would impact not only Pakistan but also India. India-Pakistan clashes play a pivotal role in raising excitement in any tournament, and Pakistan holds a notable share in the cricket market.
India’s cricket team last visited Pakistan in 2008, and the last bilateral series between the two countries was held in India during 2012-13. For over a decade, India and Pakistan have not played bilateral series outside of ICC and ACC events.
Pakistan hosted the 2023 Asia Cup, but India’s refusal to send its team led to a “hybrid model” with matches held in both Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
India has proposed a similar hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy, suggesting its matches be played in the UAE. However, this time, the PCB is not in favor. Despite India’s firm stance last year preventing Pakistan from fully hosting the Asia Cup, Pakistan still sent its team to the World Cup in India. But now, the PCB has decided it won’t make any further compromises.
Express Tribune reports that Pakistan is considering all potential measures in response to India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, including legal action and involvement in the Olympic Games. With India’s recent expression of interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics, Pakistan has decided to voice its concerns to the IOC, criticizing the Indian government for politicizing international sports events.
