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The BCCI has informed ICC that the Indian government has advised it not to visit Pakistan for the eight-team tournament, scheduled to take place next year.
ICC Champions Trophy (X)
Amid speculations about India’s travel plan for the ICC Champions Trophy next year, the BCCI has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the men in blue won’t go to Pakistan. The multi-nation tournament is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. However, the latest development means that the global cricketing body now has to chalk out another plan which, in all likelihood, would be a hybrid model.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the BCCI told ICC that the Indian government has advised it not to visit Pakistan for the eight-team tournament. Earlier, on Friday, a PTI report stated that India had already officially told the PCB that they would not travel to Pakistan for the tournament. But PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi denied such information.
Naqvi has categorically denied receiving any official word from the BCCI regarding India not travelling to Pakistan for the tournament.
“Till today, no one has discussed any ‘Hybrid Model’ with us nor are we willing to talk about it. But we have been showing good gestures for the last few years and no one should expect us to do it all the time,” Naqvi told reporters.
“I will take anything in writing to the government and whatever decision they take we have to follow them. As far as we are concerned, the tournament is being held in Pakistan on schedule and all teams will play here. All the other boards are looking forward to playing in Pakistan,” he added.
The PCB had proposed to BCCI that India could set up a base in Delhi or Chandigarh and just fly to Lahore on match days and return on the very day after proceedings but it was rejected.
The ICC has neither announced the Champions Trophy schedule nor the ticketing details as of yet. Reports stated that an event has been scheduled for next week in Lahore where the PCB chief is supposed to make the announcement. However, it’s also likely to be postponed after India’s message to the ICC.
