Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has instructed all PCB officials to avoid commenting on India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
This move represents a departure from the PCB’s previous stance, where officials frequently made provocative statements against India.
The directive comes after India declined to tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, leading to a hybrid model of the event with Sri Lanka as co-hosts.
Media reports indicate that Naqvi’s decision was influenced by a recent statement from BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, who suggested that Pakistan might retaliate if India refuses to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
A PCB source informed that in recent days, there have been no comments or statements from Naqvi or any other board official on what will happen if India doesn’t send its team to Pakistan.
The PCB has sent the draft schedule and submitted all other documents, including security plans for each team, to the ICC. Now it is the ICC’s responsibility to convince India to send its team.
The PCB is adopting a strategy of silence, allowing the ICC to manage the situation. The draft schedule and budget have already been approved at the recent ICC annual meeting in Sri Lanka.
Another source added, “Naqvi doesn’t want to reveal the PCB’s strategy on what will happen if India refuses to send its team, but after meetings with government officials, a strategy has been finalized.”
The PCB is making significant efforts to ensure its success as they prepare to host their first major tournament since the 2008 Asia Cup, despite the looming challenge posed by India’s reluctance to participate in the Champions Trophy 2025.