After the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) spokesperson’s confirmation on the same day, that the board had “received an email from the ICC, stating that the BCCI has informed them that their team will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025”, the matter has been forwarded “to the Government of Pakistan for their advice and guidance”.
With PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi having ruled out the possibility of a “hybrid model” — under which India would play their matches at a neutral venue while the remaining tournament is played in Pakistan — the International Cricket Council (ICC) may propose shifting the tournament entirely to another country.
“In such a case, one of the options the government is mulling is that of asking the PCB to ensure Pakistan don’t participate in the Champions Trophy,” a source said, adding that the federal government was looking at the issue “seriously”.
While addressing reporters on Friday, Mohsin had said that the PCB should not be expected to “carry on with their good gestures”, pointing at Pakistan’s flexibility toward the Indian government’s stance of not sending their cricket team to the neighbouring country.
