India ‘refuses’ to go to Pakistan for Champions Cup, media claims

Indian media reported on Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to travel to Pakistan for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy.

Instead, the Indian board has asked to hold its matches in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), he added.

The event came as a huge setback for fans of the game who were hoping to see their favorite Indian athletes play in Pakistani stadiums.

Sources familiar with the situation said Indian Express that the BCCI had informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of its security concerns and demanded that its matches be played in Dubai rather than Lahore.

“The BCCI has expressed concern about the Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan. They want to host matches on neutral ground and Dubai is a strong candidate to host matches involving the Men in Blue,” the source said. Times of India.

Meanwhile, another source said Indian Express that this is the long-standing position of the BCCI and there is no reason to change it.

“We wrote to them and asked them to move our games to Dubai,” the source added.

Reacting to the development, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi told India not to expect any kind gestures from Islamabad after New Delhi reportedly rejected the idea of ​​going to Lahore for the Champions Trophy.

“Pakistan has shown many good gestures in recent years. However, we are not expected to always show good gestures,” Naqvi, who is also the interior minister, told reporters in Lahore.

According to Naqvi, for the last two months there have been reports in the Indian media that the team will not travel to Pakistan.

“We still want to keep cricket separate from politics.”

He noted that cricket’s governing body has not received any “letter” from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). “We have made it clear that they (Indian Cricket Board) must provide this to us in writing if they have any problem,” he added.

He further said that he would consult with the federal government if the BCCI officially refuses to send its team to Pakistan.

“I will consult with the government if the BCCI confirms in writing that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan. Then we will obey whatever decision the Pakistani government takes,” Naqvi said.

Naqvi also said that they will continue preparations for the Champions Trophy, expressing hope that “it will be a successful event.”

He said that the modernization of stadiums and preparations for the tournament will go on schedule.

In a major setback for cricket, India stood firm on its decision not to send its team to Pakistan for next year’s Champions Trophy and demanded that its matches be played in Dubai rather than Lahore due to security reasons, sources told the Indian Express.

“We wrote to them and asked them to move our games to Dubai,” the source added.

Pakistan is determined to host the entire 2025 Champions Cup in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9 in three cities – Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.

To address logistics and security concerns, it has proposed that all India matches be played in Lahore, which is close to the Wagah border, to facilitate arrangements.

Pakistan is determined to host the entire 2025 Champions Cup in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9 in three cities – Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.

To address logistics and security concerns, it has proposed that all India matches be played in Lahore, which is close to the Wagah border, to facilitate arrangements.

India have not played an international match in Pakistan since 2008. Last year, the BCCI refused to send a team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, leading to a hybrid format with subsequent editions being held in Sri Lanka.

However, soon after, Pakistan did visit India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they failed to reach the semi-finals.

The sad development comes after Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar reportedly discussed the possibility of the Indian cricket team coming to Pakistan during their visit to Islamabad on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in October. for the ICC event, the media added.

The meeting raised hopes for normalization of cricket as it was the first direct conversation at this level since 2015 between countries with troubled pasts.

After this cordial meeting, a thaw in relations seemed possible, sparking rumors of a resumption of cricket matches.