Champions Trophy 2025: ICC asks BCCI for written explanation on refusing to travel to Pakistan

Champions Trophy. ( Photo Source – Getty Images)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to share in writing the reasons for its decision not to partake in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.

As per multiple sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had asked for a copy of the Indian board’s official communication regarding their refusal to travel to their neighbouring country. However, the BCCI has only verbally communicated its decision to the ICC so far.

The global body’s adjure for a written document is intended to facilitate PCB in demanding substantial evidence from India to justify its call to not play the tournament if it is held in Pakistan. According to the tournament rules, the BCCI must provide concrete reasons for refusing to play in Pakistan, which will then be reviewed by the ICC for a final judgement.

If the reason is deemed as unsatisfactory by the ICC, then it may ask the Indian decision-makers to reconsider their stance. If they continue to refuse, then the ICC may choose to include a ninth team in the global event, sources revealed.

The financial implications of such a situation are momentous. The ICC could incur losses of up to $500 million if the Men in Blue skip the tournament, while the BCCI itself stands a chance of losing $100 million.

South Africa on standby?

The ICC had earlier suggested a hybrid model to Pakistan after India’s initial refusal. In the model, most of the matches would have been held in Pakistan, while India’s games would be held at a neutral venue, like in the UAE.

Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: How much money Pakistan can lose if tournament gets shifted or postponed?

Pakistan would have continued to retain hosting rights of the tournament in this scenario. However, if the PCB refused to accept this proposal, the entirety of the tournament could have been shifted to South Africa. Now, with the ICC asking the BCCI for a written explanation, the tables have turned and the ball has landed in India’s court.