NEW DELHI :The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that its team will not travel to Pakistan to participate in the Champions Trophy 2025.
The BCCI told ICC that the Indian government had advised it against sending the team to Pakistan, ESPNcricinfo reported a day after Indian media reported the same decision.
The eight-team Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played at three venues in Pakistan from February to March 9 but the decision will require the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board to mull over other plans such as hybrid model under which India matches will be played at a neutral venue.
The leading cricket portal reported that the ICC might be looking for a written communication from BCCI before conveying it to PCB.
On Friday, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said India had not officially communicated about their non-participation in the Champions Trophy 2025.
Speaking to media, Naqvi said the Indian media had been reporting for two months that their team would not be travelling to Pakistan for the tournament.
Referring to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), he said if anyone had any objections, they should convey to the PCB in writing through proper channel.
He said no discussions had taken place with the BCCI regarding the hybrid model, while insisting that “We are also not prepared for it”.
He emphasised that the PCB wanted cricket to remain free from politics, adding that preparations for the Champions Trophy would continue as planned.
He said every participating country of the tournament desired that the event must be held in Pakistan.
“I have held discussions with every country, and they all wish to play cricket in Pakistan,” the PCB chief said.
