ICC's silence casting doubts on CT

India's refusal to send its team has escalated tensions

KARACHI:

The Champions Trophy, set to be hosted in Pakistan early next year, has become embroiled in controversy, with smog—both literal and metaphorical—casting a shadow over the tournament.

India's refusal to send its team, citing a lack of government approval, has escalated tensions, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) remains silent three days after receiving a formal letter from Pakistan seeking clarity on the matter.

The Champions Trophy, scheduled for February-March 2025, marks Pakistan's first ICC event hosting in years. However, India's decision not to participate has thrown the event into uncertainty. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) initially presumed Pakistan would agree to a hybrid model, as has been the case in past tournaments. But under directives from the Pakistan government, the PCB has taken a firm stance, insisting the event be held entirely within Pakistan.

Pakistan sent an official letter to the ICC three days ago, requesting written confirmation of India's decision and reasoning. However, the ICC's lack of response, coupled with the looming weekend, has raised concerns that India's refusal may have been communicated verbally rather than formally documented.

Without written proof, the Pakistan cricket fraternity questions how the ICC accepted such a critical decision so readily and why no high-level meeting was convened to address the issue.

Legal consultations are reportedly underway, with PCB officials seeking advice from prominent lawyers in London to explore potential courses of action if an unfavorable decision is imposed. If necessary, the matter may escalate to legal proceedings.

The controversy has been further fueled by the revelation that during the ICC Board of Directors meeting on October 21 in Dubai, all member boards, including India, approved the Champions Trophy schedule. Despite this, the BCCI later informed the ICC of its inability to participate just days before the official schedule announcement planned in Lahore on November 11. The timing and lack of earlier communication have led many to suspect deliberate sabotage of the event.

Meanwhile, the Indian media has intensified its campaign, first suggesting South Africa as an alternative host and now floating rumors of India taking over the tournament. These reports, widely viewed as baseless, aim to pressure the PCB into compliance.

Shukla reaffirms India's refusal

The ongoing saga surrounding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has taken a decisive turn, with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice-President Rajiv Shukla reiterating India's firm position on the tournament.

Shukla emphasized that the BCCI would adhere to the directives issued by the Indian government regarding the event, which has been marred by political and security concerns.

The Champions Trophy, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan, is facing increasing uncertainty, with India unequivocally stating that its national team will not travel to Pakistan. Shukla confirmed that India's stance remains unchanged, citing ongoing security and political tensions as the primary reasons behind the refusal. Pakistan, which was awarded the hosting rights for the prestigious tournament, has maintained that it intends to host the matches within its borders, but the BCCI's position stands in stark contrast.

On Sunday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that it had received official communication from the International Cricket Council (ICC) outlining India's refusal to play in Pakistan. This announcement further escalates the tension between the two cricketing nations, whose relations have been strained since 2008.

The two teams have not engaged in a bilateral series since 2012, with India and Pakistan only facing off in ICC events in recent years.

The last bilateral series between the two sides took place in 2012, when Pakistan toured India for a two-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series. The series ended with Pakistan leveling the T20I series 1-1 and winning the ODI series 2-1, but since then, political tensions have kept the two nations from resuming full-fledged cricketing ties.