ICC asks BCCI to give written reply

Indian Cricket Board had verbally communicated its stance to the ICC over CT pull out

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to provide written reasons for its decision not to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.

Sources close to the matter have confirmed that the Indian Cricket Board had verbally communicated its stance to the ICC, but now the governing body is seeking a more detailed explanation in writing.

As per ICC regulations, the BCCI is required to submit valid reasons for not sending the Indian team to Pakistan for the prestigious event. Pakistan's Cricket Board (PCB) had previously asked for a written copy of the communication from the BCCI, as the absence of India could lead to substantial consequences for the tournament.

Once the BCCI submits its reasons, the ICC is expected to review the validity of those justifications. If deemed insufficient, the ICC may demand that the Indian team participate. In the event of a continued refusal by India, it is believed that the ICC could add a ninth team to the Champions Trophy lineup.

The situation has far-reaching financial implications. The absence of India from the tournament would result in a significant revenue loss, estimated at $500 million for the ICC, due to the lack of broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and advertisement opportunities tied to India-Pakistan matchups. The Indian Board would also face a loss of approximately $100 million as the absence of matches between the two arch-rivals would impact their financial returns.

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, will feature eight teams: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa. Originally, the schedule was expected to be revealed on November 11 in Lahore, where all of India's matches were proposed to take place.

ICC cancels tour of CT trophy to Pak cities

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has called off the Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour in Skardu, Murree, and Muzaffarabad following objections raised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

This decision came swiftly after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced its plans for a nationwide trophy tour from November 16- 24. The eight-team Champions Trophy tournament is scheduled to be held in Pakistan in February-March 2025, marking the country's first ICC event since 1996.

According to the Indian media reports, the BCCI expressed strong concerns over the inclusion of Muzaffarabad city for Champions Trophy tour. This controversy adds to existing tensions, with India previously signaling its reluctance to send its team to Pakistan for the tournament.

In a statement, the PCB confirmed it was notified by the ICC about the decision to exclude Pakistan cities from the trophy tour. The PCB has forwarded this development to the Pakistani government for further guidance.

The ICC plans to announce the Champions Trophy 2025 schedule in mid-November, with matches tentatively set for February 19 to March 9 in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi.

ICC will never take on BCCI: Sethi

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) for allegedly yielding to the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) influence, amid ongoing uncertainty regarding the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place in Pakistan.

Sethi, who previously held the PCB leadership during a tense period when India refused to tour Pakistan, resulting in a hybrid model for the 2023 Asia Cup, argued that Jay Shah's anticipated ICC chairmanship has amplified the BCCI's sway over the global cricketing body.

"ICC is very weak and will never stand against BCCI because ICC depends on the revenue of BCCI," said Sethi during an interview with a local news channel.

"ICC is not ICC anymore. ICC is now BCCI because Jay Shah is set to become Chairman ICC," he added.

The former PCB chairman called for government-level talks between Pakistan and India, expressing confidence that the Indian team would travel to Pakistan if approved by the Indian government.

"Debate between ICC, PCB and BCCI is useless. The discussion should be held between governments of Indo-Pak. Indian Cricket Team will run towards Pakistan the moment [it is] given permission by Government of India," Sethi stated.

Sethi added that a direct appeal from Pakistan to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi might encourage India to send its team for the Champions Trophy.