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After India’s decision to not travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in February-March, the Pakistan government is likely to react strongly. In one of the reports making rounds on social media, Pakistan government may request its cricket board to withdraw from the tournament.
It is to be noted that on Sunday, November 10, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on receiving a response from the apex body, the International Cricket Council (ICC) in which the Board of the Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had informed of its decision to not travel to Pakistan for the tournament. “The PCB has received an e-mail from the ICC, stating that the BCCI has informed them that their team will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025,” PCB’s statement read.
Pakistan likely to withdraw from ICC Champions Trophy 2025
However, the PCB further wrote to their government, seeking advice and guidance on the matter as a PCB spokesperson was quoted, “The PCB has forwarded that e-mail to the Government of Pakistan for their advice and guidance.” But as per the latest developments, their remains a possibility that Pakistan might pull out of the tournament with the PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi earlier ruled out the possibility of hosting the tournament in a hybrid model.
“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 report quoted its source, as informed by TOI. However, it will be seen what come downs to the end of it but it is to be noted that India hasn’t travelled to Pakistan since 2008 Asia Cup.
Furthermore, the two nations last locked horns in a bilateral series in 2012-13 and have played each other in only ICC events thereafter. In 2023 also, with Pakistan having the hosting right, India played all its matches in Sri Lanka, forcing the tournament to be moved to hybrid model.
