ICC Champions Trophy 2025: The future of the Champions Trophy which is to be hosted by Pakistan seems to be extremely bleak. With a tug-of-war going on between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Champions Trophy continues to snowball into crisis. India have maintained a firm stance on their participation and have refused to visit Pakistan for the upcoming ICC event. A few days back, India had written to the ICC and had clarified their stance.

The Pakistan Cricket Board very well knows that no ICC Trophy is possible without India as they are the biggest attraction. Despite knowing it, the PCB have refused for a ‘Hybrid Model’ and have been persisting for the tournament to be played in Pakistan. As per recent developments the PCB has asked the BCCI to voice their concerns and the reasons behind India’s decision to not travel to Pakistan.

Mohsin Naqvi Requests BCCI To Allow India Travel To Pakistan

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi finally decided to break silence on the controversies related to the Champions Trophy and Pakistan’s stance on it. The PCB supremo visited the Gaddafi Stadium to inspect the venue’s upgradation before the Champions Trophy which is just few months away from now. The PCB chief did not shy away from answering any questions. He also questioned the ICC’s credibility on the entire matter.

ALSO READ | PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi Accuses BCCI of Influencing ICC

Naqvi, reiterated on his stand and requested the BCCI to speak to the PCB and voice their concerns regarding the Champions Trophy. Naqvi also went ahead and said that all the other countries were willing to travel to Pakistan.

No Back Channel Diplomacy With India: Pakistan Ministry

ALSO READ | ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB Waiting For ICC Response, Still Hopeful Over India’s Participation

Pakistan on Thursday said that no back channel diplomacy was going on with India after the neighbouring country refused to send its cricket team for the Champions Trophy to be held in February-March next year. The spokesperson of Foreign Office, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, was asked questions at the weekly press briefing regarding the status of the cricket tournament scheduled to be held in Pakistan early next year.

“There is no back channel with India to specifically discuss the Champions Trophy and bilateral Cricket between Pakistan and India,” she said. She added that further details with regards to the holding of Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the participation of the various teams was available with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which can share any further details. Baloch went on to say that sports events should not be mixed with politics.

(With PTI Inputs)