Pakistan Seeks Government Guidance Amid BCCI’s Decision

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is consulting with the government on its plans to host the upcoming Champions Trophy after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declared that India would not participate if the tournament is held in Pakistan. The BCCI recently notified the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian government will not permit India to play in Pakistan. The ICC formally relayed this decision to the PCB, which has now escalated the issue to the federal government for further action.

A PCB representative shared with ESPNcricinfo that the ICC informed them of BCCI’s position, though no specific reason was provided in writing. With the tournament being Pakistan's first ICC event since 1996, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi firmly dismissed the idea of a hybrid hosting model—previously used in the 2023 Asia Cup, where India’s matches were held outside Pakistan. Naqvi, also Pakistan’s interior minister, has reinforced this as the government's stance, pushing for the entire event to be hosted within Pakistan's borders.

The Pakistan government is reportedly considering instructing the PCB to stand its ground, fully reject any hybrid model, and host all matches in Pakistan. This directive would be binding for the PCB, similar to how the BCCI adheres to its government’s guidelines.

With just 100 days left until the Champions Trophy, the ICC faces a delicate challenge as geopolitical tensions between its two top Full Members loom. Adding complexity to the situation, Jay Shah, BCCI Secretary and son of India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, will soon assume the ICC chairmanship on December 1.

India-Pakistan matches are the most anticipated at global tournaments, ensuring they face off in every ICC event since the 2013 Champions Trophy. However, PCB sources hint that the Pakistan government may block Pakistan’s participation in future ICC events hosted by India, including the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup. Naqvi recently cautioned that the concessions Pakistan made in past years, such as sending its team to India for the 2023 men’s ODI World Cup after India declined to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup, might not be extended again.

Richard Gould, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), recently underscored the importance of both India and Pakistan’s involvement for ICC events and global viewership, noting that excluding either nation would undermine broadcast rights and the financial sustainability of ICC tournaments.

Due to these developments, an event planned in Lahore to mark the 100-day countdown to the Champions Trophy has been postponed. The PCB intends to press the ICC to obtain a formal explanation from the BCCI regarding the Indian government’s decision to block travel. The Champions Trophy, featuring eight teams, is currently scheduled to run from February 19 to March 9 across venues in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. Pakistan, the defending champions, is eager to uphold its title, with stadiums in these cities undergoing renovations in preparation for the high-profile event.