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The Pakistan Cricket Board seeking an explaination from India regarding their unwillingness to travel to Pakistan could escalate the matter to the CAS.
Champions Trophy 2025: The PCB could approach the CAS to arrive at a resolution regarding India’s non-participation. (X)
With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 slowly approaching and the tussle between the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Pakistan Cricket Board also ongoing, the PCB could reportedly take drastic measures to help get to a resolution regarding hosting the tournament.
According to a report by the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), the PCB is seeking an explanation from the BCCI regarding their stance on not travelling to Pakistan. India’s perspective has been consistent that they would only make the trip should the Indian government approve their participation.
The PCB who are seeking an explanation of India’s stance could consider escalating the issue to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) should they not come to a resolution as the PCB maintains its stance on hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan and also rejecting alternate solutions like a Hybrid Model, which was used in the 2023 Asia Cup.
In the 2023 Asia Cup, the PCB reluctantly accepted to play in a Hybrid model where all of India’s games were hosted by Sri Lanka including the knockout games as well. Pakistan despite the government’s reservations had participated in the tournament and similar complex issues could come to the fray in the upcoming CT 2025 as well.
Amidst the uncertainty, the ICC has initiated the Trophy Tour for Champions Trophy 2025 to build excitement for the tournament. The tour began on Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, where the iconic silverware was displayed at several landmarks, including Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque, and the Pakistan Monument.
The ICC is working to resolve India’s travel concerns, but a resolution remains uncertain.
India’s participation depends on the national government’s approval and the team has not travelled to Pakistan since 2008, with bilaterals between the two sides coming to a halt due to political tensions.
The Champions Trophy returns after eight years with Pakistan as the defending champions. They beat India by 180 runs in 2017 to claim the title under Sarfaraz Ahmed’s captaincy.
(With IANS Inputs)
