The ICC Champions Trophy is an eight team, 50-over tournament. It's set to take place in Pakistan next year and there's already plans that are being done by each team. However, there's one country that refuses to participate in the next edition. This country in question is India. They have refused to participate due to the location.
All this is down to international tensions between the PCB and the BCCI. This tension is so big that the two nations haven't competed against each other since 2013. They have only met in major men's competitions. India haven't touched down on Pakistan soil in 16 years.
Pakistan will be hosting a major tournament for the first time since 1996. However, the PCB has informed the ICC that the Indian board, the BCCI, will not allow their cricketers to play in Pakistan. A PCB spokesperson said, "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."
A prominent solution that has been brought up is to implement a hybrid model. This would mean matches being staged in different countries. The problem with this model is that the venues for the knockout venues if India progress to the semi-finals.
In the past, Pakistan have had no issues with travelling to India. This is evident by Pakistan going to India for both the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 World Cup. It has been claimed that it's not possible to have a competition without India or Pakistan.
This claim is made by England and Wale Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive, Richard Gould. He said, "If you play the Champions Trophy without India or Pakistan, the broadcast rights aren't there, and we need to protect them. There are a variety of different options available if those circumstances come along. This is a big moment for Pakistan, and hopefully we can have the fullest possible competition in Pakistan. If that's not possible, we know there are options available."
Former England assistant coach, Paul Farbrace, said Pakistan "deserves to host international cricket." He said, "I completely understand that historical events have muddied the water between the two countries, but the BCCI has to realise this is a bigger picture than whether or not they want to go to Pakistan.
"In terms of sport, this is a fantastic opportunity for India to show it wants cricket to flourish, rather than saying 'no, we don't fancy going to Pakistan'. Every one of the big nations need to travel to all of the other countries in order to grow the game and in that respect, India has too much clout."
Now, the PCB wants it in writing from the BCCI that they are unable to attend, as well as the justification for it. That ICC communication came three days before what would've been the official launch event for the tournament in Lahore, starting a 100-day countdown. Instead, the event has been postponed, with uncertainty now swirling around the eight-team tournament.
The PCB's stance at the moment remains unchanged: the entire tournament will be played in Pakistan with a senior PCB official reiterating that there is "no chance" of a hybrid model being considered.
One of the reasons the PCB is standing firm at the moment is because they feel aggrieved by events last year. After they were forced to use a hybrid model in hosting the Asia Cup, Pakistan agreed to travel to India for the World Cup. That decision was taken after consultation with the government and permission was ultimately granted - despite considerable opposition - on the hope that it would lead to India reciprocating by visiting for the Champions Trophy.
The PCB has also pointed out that the tournament was awarded to Pakistan three years ago and no objection was raised at the time or has been raised since. The PCB is believed to have provided a progress report at the ICC's board meetings in October; including the intention to go ahead with the 100-day launch event on 11 November, with no concerns raised.
There are reports that South Africa will host the tournament should the PCB fail to reach sn agreement.
I believe India need to get over themselves and just travel to Pakistan for the tournament. Yes, there's tension but that shouldn't interfere with playing a major tournament. As it has been seen, Pakistan have had no issues with travelling to India in the past. India also had no objection to Pakistan hosting the tournament three years prior. Backing out now is a sign of weakness, at least from my perspective.
On the other hand, I wouldn't mind South Africa hosting the tournament. Seeing the world's best slugging it out can be exciting to see.