By Zainab Shafiq 
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has long wielded unparalleled influence in world cricket, shaping the International Cricket Council (ICC) to its will. The latest demonstration of this power came at the expense of the Champions Trophy 2025, originally set to be hosted by Pakistan.
What should have been a historic tournament for Pakistan cricket turned into a politically charged spectacle, ultimately moving major matches to Dubai. Here’s how the BCCI orchestrated this:
How BCCI Destroyed Champions Trophy Pakistan?
1. BCCI’s Dominance in the ICC and the Financial Stranglehold
The ICC, though an independent governing body on paper, is heavily funded by the BCCI. India’s cricketing market accounts for nearly 80% of the ICC’s revenue, making the BCCI the most influential stakeholder in global cricket. With such financial leverage, it becomes easy for the Indian board to dictate terms, even at the cost of other cricketing nations.
When Pakistan was awarded hosting rights for the Champions Trophy 2025, there was optimism that India would reciprocate Pakistan’s 2023 World Cup participation by sending their team. However, leveraging its financial dominance, the BCCI convinced the ICC to move key matches out of Pakistan, citing security concerns. This manoeuvre not only undermined Pakistan’s hosting rights but also established a dangerous precedent where powerful boards can manipulate global tournaments.
2. Jay Shah’s Political Influence and the Hybrid Model Push
Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary and son of India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, has played a central role in India’s cricketing decisions, often intertwining them with political considerations. The BCCI’s refusal to send Team India to Pakistan was more than just a cricketing stance; it was a strategic move blending politics with sport.
This led to the forced implementation of a hybrid model similar to the Asia Cup 2023, where despite Pakistan being the official host, the majority of games were held in Sri Lanka. For the Champions Trophy, a similar outcome was reached—India played all their matches in Dubai, including their semifinal and final, essentially making UAE the de facto host. Pakistan did not surrender entirely, but the damage was done: the tournament lost its essence, and Pakistan’s hosting rights were significantly diminished.
3. PCB Marginalized Even in the Tournament’s Grand Finale
The ultimate humiliation for Pakistan came during the post-final presentation ceremony in Dubai, where PCB’s tournament director Sumair Ahmed was conspicuously absent. While the ICC traditionally includes host nation representatives in such ceremonies, this time, the BCCI ensured otherwise. The stage was filled with Indian officials, including Jay Shah, BCCI president Roger Binny, and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, alongside a representative from New Zealand Cricket, but not a single representative from the PCB.
This blatant exclusion infuriated the PCB, which demanded an explanation from the ICC. The sidelining of Pakistan at its own tournament underscored the BCCI’s ability to control not just match locations but the very optics of international cricket.
The Champions Trophy 2025 was supposed to mark Pakistan’s full-fledged return as an ICC event host after nearly three decades. Instead, it became a showcase of BCCI’s dominance, highlighting how politics, financial control, and strategic manoeuvring can override the spirit of the game. For Pakistan and other cricket boards, the question remains: Is there any room left for fair play when one entity wields so much power?
Also, see:
No PCB official during Champions Trophy final presentation? PCB questions ICC