Pakistan seeks clarity over India's refusal to travel, says no to hybrid model

Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan Cricket Board has written to the International Cricket Council, demanding clarity over India's refusal to travel to Pakistan. The PCB, in a statement, said it received communication from the ICC regarding the BCCI's stance.

In Short

• PCB writes to ICC, demanding reasons for BCCI's refusal to travel to Pakistan
• Pakistan have the hosting rights for Champions Trophy 2025
• PCB stresses that it is keen on hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking clarification on India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, India Today has learnt. In its letter to the ICC, the PCB has requested an official explanation regarding India's stance. The communication from Pakistan does not discuss the event format or a potential hybrid model.

“Our position on the event is already public: the entire ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held in Pakistan. This stance has been made clear, and there is nothing new in this regard,” a PCB source stated.

The PCB's letter follows notification from the ICC that India would not be travelling to Pakistan for the high-profile 50-over tournament, marking the tournament’s return to the cricket calendar after an eight-year absence. The PCB has confirmed in a statement that it was informed by the ICC about the BCCI’s decision.

Reportedly, the PCB has forwarded the ICC’s communication to the Pakistani government to determine the next steps.

This stand-off between the PCB and BCCI has left the future of the Champions Trophy in doubt. Pakistan has already allocated close to 17 billion rupees to upgrade stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi in preparation for the tournament next year.

Earlier this month, a PCB source told India Today that reports claiming Pakistan had agreed to host the event in a hybrid model were unfounded. Notably, when Pakistan held the hosting rights for the Asia Cup last year, it accepted a hybrid format: Pakistan hosted four games while Sri Lanka hosted 10, including the final of the tournament.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who previously demanded a formal explanation from the BCCI regarding India’s travel plans, has repeatedly affirmed that Pakistan is determined to host all matches of the Champions Trophy within Pakistan.

India Today previously reported that India would likely not travel to Pakistan due to security concerns and that its matches could be staged in the UAE. If a hybrid model is not agreed upon for the Champions Trophy, there is a possibility that the entire tournament could be relocated out of Pakistan.

The ICC was reportedly set to announce the schedule, without confirmation of the venues, in the second week of November. According to a tentative schedule, the Champions Trophy is set to be held from February 19 to March 9, with matches scheduled in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi.

India and Pakistan have not met in a bilateral series since the 2012-13 season. India have not played bilateral cricket in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.