India denies visiting Pakistan for CT25: PCB demands written letter from BCCI with 'solid justification'

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially sought ICC’s permission to obtain a written letter from the BCCI stating the inability to send their team for the 2025 Champions Trophy to Pakistan. The PCB has sought an official statement from the BCCI over its decision, informing the BCCI that owing to a message received from the ICC, the Indian government hasn’t issued a permit for the Indian team to go to Pakistan for the said tournament scheduled for 9th February 2024.

In a move that will shoot the flagship event of the pegs just days before the launch event scheduled to be held at Lahore, instead of inaugurating the 100-day countdown to the tournament, there is now uncertainty about the eight-team tournament.

PCB frustrated! Says no chance for hybrid model and requests written letter from BCCI

According to the officials of PCB, the Champions Trophy will still be held entirely in Pakistan. A senior PCB official has insisted to ESPNcricinfo that there is “no chance” of a hybrid model, such as the one used with the 2023 Asia Cup, where India played all their matches outside Pakistan. Much was speculated about the use of the UAE as a backup venue, but that’s been ruled out by the PCB. The tournament is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9 across three cities in Pakistan: Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.

As the situation unfolds, it increasingly appears that the ultimate decision as regards the host and potentially any hybrid will be made by the Pakistani government. PCB’s stance is also partly influenced by what happened in 2023 when Pakistan agreed to travel to India for the World Cup assuming India would reciprocate for the Champions Trophy.

The PCB has also pointed out that the tournament was awarded three years ago, and they did not have any objections at that time. They had submitted a progress report of the tournament in the ICC board meetings back in October without raising any concerns. The ICC is still tight-lipped over this issue.