India has refused to go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. In such a situation, it is speculated that this tournament could be a ‘hybrid model’ like the Asia Cup held last year. There is another possibility that Pakistan may also withdraw from this tournament. Such a possibility has been expressed in some media reports.
Another update has come out regarding the Champions Trophy. A PCB source said, ‘I can tell you that the PCB has sent a letter to the ICC, seeking clarification. Which has been sent on India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan in the upcoming Champions Trophy.’
According to a report in ‘Dawn’, if India refuses to go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next year, there can be a strong reaction from the Pakistan government. It can ask its cricket board to withdraw from the tournament.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has written a letter to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) informing it about the decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament, which is scheduled to be played from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
If Pakistan withdraws from the Champions Trophy then…
If Pakistan decides not to play the Champions Trophy 2025, the ICC can ban it. The ICC can include another team in their place. On the other hand, taking away the tournament rights from Pakistan due to India’s refusal can lead to criticism. Apart from this, punishing Pakistan for not playing would be a wrong step that the ICC would not want to take.
Dawn’s report quoted sources as saying that one of the options the government is considering in such a case is to ask the PCB to ensure that Pakistan does not participate in the Champions Trophy. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is also the Home Minister in the country’s federal government.
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012, but they have been facing each other in ICC tournaments, including the ODI World Cup held in India last year. It is worth noting that the Asia Cup hosted by Pakistan last year was also changed to a hybrid model after India refused to play in Pakistan. India then played all its matches in Sri Lanka.
Champions Trophy is being organized for the first time after 2017
The Champions Trophy is making a comeback to the ICC calendar after 2017. It could be changed to a ‘hybrid’ model, in which India could play all its matches at another venue, possibly in the UAE… while the rest of the tournament would be hosted by Pakistan. Meanwhile, Dawn reports that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has ruled out the possibility of a hybrid model, which could force the ICC to shift the entire tournament out of Pakistan.
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