India is once again ready to spoil plans of a full-fledged multi-nation cricket event in Pakistan, as reports indicate that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reluctant to send its team for the Champions Trophy 2025.
The ICC Champions Trophy faces uncertainty as Team India may opt out of travelling to the neighbouring nation, citing political tensions.
Pakistan’s bid to host an international cricket event for the first time since the 1996 World Cup has been met with apprehension from India, casting doubt on the Champions Trophy’s venue.
This decision could potentially lead to a relocation of the event or the implementation of a hybrid model, according to a source within the BCCI.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s openness to a bilateral series with India as a trade-off for their participation in the tournament underscores the delicate diplomatic dynamics surrounding cricket between the two nations.
“Look, we will consider options for bilateral series, but our target right now is to host the Champions Trophy and first let India come for the tournament,” Naqvi said.
“Once they come here first then we can look at any proposal whenever it comes before us,” he added.
However, despite recent discussions about a bilateral Test series, India’s reluctance to engage in cricketing ties with Pakistan remains steadfast.
The possibility of India skipping the Champions Trophy altogether reflects the strained relations due to prevailing political tensions.
Sources within the BCCI have indicated that obtaining government permission for travel to Pakistan presents a significant hurdle, particularly given the current state of bilateral relations.
The prospect of a hybrid model or a venue change is being explored as a potential alternative to accommodate India’s concerns.
“Forget bilateral series…Team India may not even travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. There might be a change of venue, a hybrid model is also possible,” a BCCI source said.
“The Indian board would need permission from the government for travel, currently our relations with Pakistan are not that good either,” the source added.
“Champions Trophy is an ICC event, so it would be a tough call for India but nothing without the government’s order/green signal. Bilateral series, I don’t see in the near future, that’s next to impossible.”
India and Pakistan’s cricketing rivalry has been marred by political tensions, with bilateral matches becoming increasingly rare in recent years.
The last Test match between the two sides took place in the 2007/08 season, while their last white-ball series occurred in 2012/13. Instead, encounters are limited to multi-nation events like the Asia Cup and global tournaments.
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