The Pakistan government has reportedly instructed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to stand firm against any requests to shift Champions Trophy matches out of Pakistan. This directive comes amid the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) insistence that Indian games be held at a neutral venue, such as Dubai, due to the BCCI’s reluctance to send the Indian team across the border, reports Indian Express.

India’s Demand for Neutral Venue

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had previously informed the PCB of the BCCI’s stance on not crossing the border for the 2025 Champions Trophy, a 50-over tournament slated to begin in February. The BCCI has asked for a neutral venue for India’s games, with Dubai as a preferred location.

The PCB, however, remains resolute in its commitment to host the event in Pakistan. “We have been told by our government not to move any game out of Pakistan, and that will be our stand when the time comes,” said a PCB official, who spoke under the condition of anonymity. “Right now, the ICC has just informed us about India’s decision. We have the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy, so there is no way we can move the games outside Pakistan.”

PCB’s Response to ICC’s Inquiry

The PCB has responded to an ICC letter from last week, which requested clarification on the BCCI’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. The PCB official confirmed that they’ve sent a formal reply to the ICC, seeking an explanation behind India’s refusal. “We have responded to last week’s ICC letter… asking them the reasons for the BCCI’s decision. We are keen to know that. So right now, there is no talk of moving games,” he added.

Champions Trophy Set for February 2025 in Pakistan

The eight-team tournament is scheduled to kick off on February 19, 2025, with the final match on March 9. Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi have been designated as the host cities, and Pakistan is gearing up to welcome international teams to these venues.

This standoff over hosting arrangements is reminiscent of the 2023 Asia Cup scenario, where Pakistan initially retained the hosting rights but eventually moved India’s games to Sri Lanka as a compromise. The PCB had initially been steadfast about retaining full hosting rights but ultimately adjusted its stance closer to the tournament’s start.

Impact of Political Tensions on Cricketing Ties

Cricket relations between India and Pakistan remain strained due to ongoing political tensions. The two nations have not faced each other in a bilateral series since 2013 and have only competed in ICC events since. The last time the Indian team played in Pakistan was over 16 years ago.

Adding to the complexity, a recent visit by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on October 16 has been followed by a series of terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, further straining diplomatic ties between the two countries. The evolving political landscape continues to impact sporting relations, placing additional strain on cricketing events like the Champions Trophy.

As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on the ICC, the BCCI, and the PCB to see whether a resolution can be reached that balances security concerns, hosting rights, and the passionate fan base on both sides.