Pakistan Cricket Board seeks India's 'assurance' to compete in 2025 Champions Trophy: Report

Mohsin Naqvi, the newly appointed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, is awaiting a confirmation regarding India’s participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan , a topic that will be discussed during the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Meeting in Dubai next week. India have not travelled to Pakistan since 2008. According to news agency _PT_I, Naqvi will be meeting with the ICC Executive Board and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, and will look for reassurance around India’s presence in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy scheduled to be played in February-March next year.

“The biggest worry for the PCB is whether India will send its team to Pakistan and there is no repeat of last year’s Asia Cup issues,” a PCB source told PTI, citing the ‘Hybrid Model’ that was used last year.

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This source also added that India’s presence in Pakistan would boost Champions Trophy’s success and hence Naqvi will aim to persuade the ICC and BCCI of the importance of an early confirmation. The new chairman will also look to reassure BCCI that with Pakistan’s recent elections concluded and a new government in power, security and logistical concerns will not be a hurdle in the country.

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Pakistan did travel to India for the ODI Cricket World Cup last year, and endured a disappointing campaign where they missed out on the semifinals. Meanwhile, India’s last visit across the border dates back to the 2008 Asia Cup. Naqvi also plans to update the ICC board on the progress made in upgrading stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.

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The BCCI, on the other hand, still maintains that the participation of their cricket team and their travel to Pakistan depends on the Government’s mandate and hence, the board believes that asking for reassurance is still very early.

“Playing in Pakistan is something that only Indian government can decide and BCCI will have to follow the government diktat. Also it is too early to even ask for government’s permission and if their new chairman is expecting some kind of assurance in March 2024 for a tournament in Feb-March 2025, he is mistaken,” a BCCI source was quoted by PTI.

The PTI report further claimed that the BCCI will not totally close its door but a clearance from the government of India is not expected to be obtained at least weeks before the competition starts.