India might not go to Pakistan for CT 2025 as ‘ICC will never ask to go against government policy’
Team India might not travel to Pakistan for next year’s Champions Trophy, after all. A hybrid model that was followed during the Asia Cup 2023 looks like the more likely option, as the team’s visit to Pakistan cannot be decided by the ICC, as per a source.
While the CT is not on the agenda for the ICC's current meeting, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed interest in speaking with his BCCI counterparts to get some assurance. But an ICC board member privy to the development said that any decision will be taken closer to the event.
A veteran administrator said, “Every member can raise concerns for discussion at board meetings, and then it would go to a vote. But if the government of a member nation expressly says that they can’t play there, the ICC would need to look for an alternative.”
He said, “Because the ICC Board’s position remains that it doesn’t expect its members to go against any policy or instruction issued by its own government,”
A former BCCI office-bearer said, “Don’t forget that threat perception for an Indian cricket team would always be higher compared to Australia, England, and New Zealand.”
Meanwhile, the Indian Davis Cup team traveled to Islamabad in February this year, but it’s needless to say that the stakes are higher for the cricket team.