PCB to nudge ICC over India refusal

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to write a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding India's non-participation in the ICC Champions Trophy.

According to sources, PCB officials have completed legal consultations under the guidance of the government. The federal government has provided the PCB with policy guidelines regarding India, which will be used to seek clarification from the ICC about India's refusal to participate.

The ICC had previously communicated via email to the PCB, stating that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had informed them verbally about the refusal.

According to government sources, the Pakistan-India clash cannot take place without Pakistan, as both countries hold equal significance in the context of the match.

Government officials have instructed the PCB to involve other boards in this matter, emphasizing that Pakistan has always maintained a positive attitude and conduct. Now, according to the government, India has no moral or legal grounds to avoid playing against Pakistan.

The BCCI had previously communicated its decision to the ICC verbally, expressing its unwillingness to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, the sources had earlier said. Subsequently, the ICC informed the PCB of India's decision in writing, they added.

In response, the sources said, the PCB consulted with the government to determine the appropriate course of action.

In addition to engaging with the ICC, the PCB plans to reach out to other cricket boards to convey its position and gather support regarding India's withdrawal.

The PCB's forthcoming correspondence with the ICC aims to address the implications of India's absence and to seek clarity on the matter.

Additionally, the sources also revealed that the PCB would consult other cricket boards to share its concerns and gather support.

This step follows directives from the federal government, which recently decided to adopt a firmer stance on sporting relations with India, responding to the Narendra Modi-led administration's refusal to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the tournament.

According to the sources, Pakistan's approach to cross-border sports diplomacy has shifted significantly, signalling Islamabad's resolve to challenge what it perceives as New Delhi's politicisation of sports.

The PCB aims to emphasise the potential implications of India's absence on international cricket relations and ICC revenues, as the absence of Pakistan-India matches could have a substantial financial impact.

The federal government had also instructed the PCB to resist any proposal of a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy, rejecting the idea of matches being held outside Pakistan.

The Champions Trophy, a key event on the international cricket calendar, is slated to take place in February-March next year.

Court of arbitration

Pakistan is considering taking legal action if India refuses to visit Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled for February 19 to March 9, 2025.

Due to long-standing political tensions, India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral cricket series in over a decade. However, Pakistan recently traveled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, hoping to set a precedent for cross-border participation in major tournaments.

According to Indian media reports, sources claim that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) proposed a hybrid model to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), allowing India to play its matches in Dubai rather than Pakistan.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly denied any such proposal, reaffirming that all matches will be hosted in Pakistan as planned. Pakistan's firm stance indicates that if India opts out, Pakistan may escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a resolution.

Meanwhile, sources within the Pakistani government suggest that if India declines participation, Pakistan may reassess its approach to competing with India in future tournaments, with officials hinting at a potential boycott of matches with India until political relations improve. Pakistani officials stress that Pakistan has consistently made efforts to foster goodwill by sending its teams to India, yet Indian reluctance continues to bring politics into cricket.