Pakistan has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to provide compensation if India decides not to travel to the host country for the Champions Trophy 2025.
According to a credible source within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as reported by Hindustan Times, the ICC has not yet formalized the hosting agreement with Pakistan, despite the country being designated as the host for the tournament.
The source disclosed that PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf and COO Salman Naseer held discussions with the ICC executive board in Ahmedabad regarding hosting the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February-March 2025.
The source mentioned to Hindustan Times, “Pakistani officials discussed the possibility of the Indian board (BCCI) once again refusing to send its team to Pakistan and made it clear that in any given situation the ICC must avoid taking unilateral decisions on the tournament.”
Reportedly, PCB officials suggested that the ICC appoint an independent security agency to assess the security situation for all participating teams, including India, in case India declines to play in Pakistan due to security concerns.
The PCB emphasized that the ICC should compensate Pakistan if India chooses not to send its team, and the matches are relocated to another country. They pointed to the successful tours of several top teams to Pakistan in recent years without any security issues.
PCB representatives reiterated that Pakistan would not relinquish its hosting rights, understanding the high likelihood of India withdrawing due to political and security considerations given the relationship between the two countries’ governments.
During the Asia Cup hosted partially by Pakistan in August-September, India declined to play in Pakistan. The Indian team played all matches, including the final against Sri Lanka, in Sri Lanka.
Ashraf and Naseer stressed at the ICC meeting that Pakistan would not give up its hosting rights. The BCCI representative stated that any decision regarding India’s participation in Pakistan in 2025 would be solely made by their government, and they were obligated to abide by that decision.
