File photo from an India vs Pakistan cricket match© AFP
Pakistan may withdraw from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, according to a report in news publication Dawn, if its hosting rights are stripped following India’s refusal to travel to the country. The report quoted ‘official sources’ as saying that the Pakistan government is likely to ask the Pakistan Cricket Board to refuse to stop playing India in any ICC or Asian Cricket Council events until issues are resolved between the countries.
Meanwhile, a report by news agency PTI has said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will seek clarity from the ICC on hosting of the Champions Trophy since they have only been intimated that India will not travel for the tournament but there was no word on hybrid model being proposed.
The PCB was told by the ICC that BCCI won’t send its team to Pakistan after the decision was communicated to the world governing body. “There is no talk about having the Champions Trophy on a Hybrid Model system as of now,” a reliable PCB source said.
A hybrid model was followed during the Asia Cup last year, when India’s matches were held in Sri Lanka while other matches were played in Pakistan.
“An email is to be sent to the ICC with the advice of its legal department in which the Board wanted clarifications from the ICC on the Indian decision,” the source said.
“As of now the entire situation is being gauged by the PCB. No decision has been taken on the next step. Yes the PCB is in touch with the government for consultation and directives if required,” the source added.
The source said the PCB was awaiting policy guidelines from the government regarding India, which will be cited to seek clarification from the ICC about India’s refusal to participate. He also pointed out that there could be legal implications for the ICC if the Pakistan government decides to take a tough call on cricket relations with India.
With PTI inputs
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