PCB Demands ICC for Written Explanation for India’s Champions Trophy Refusal

According to reports, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has demanded International Cricket Council (ICC) to provide them a written explanation regarding India’s refusal to tour the country for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

PCB has urged the ICC to provide them a reasonable explanation behind India’s decision and has made it’s stance clear that they will not accept a hybrid model for the mega-event.

The latest reports provided by ESPNCricinfo reveal that the PCB have rejected the hybrid model proposed for the Champions Trophy and are adamant that the entire tournament be played in the country, as stated in the initial schedule.

Earlier, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had intimated the PCB that the Indian team will not be traveling to Pakistan for the tournament citing refusal by the Indian Government. The move was expected as India has not toured the country for over two decades, while Pakistan had toured India for the 2023 ODI World Cup.

According to the original schedule, the tournament is set to be played from 19 February to 9 March across three venues, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi. But after India’s refusal, a hybrid model has been proposed where India’s matches will take place at a neutral venue, likely to be Dubai, while the rest of the tournament will be played in Pakistan.

The issue arises as Pakistan and India are in the same group and that match will also have to be played outside of Pakistan, which the PCB has refused to do so.

However, the decision now lies with the Pakistan Government as the PCB has asked them to be involved in the situation. With a long-standing history between the two countries, the saga is expected to be prolonged.