Afghanistan to boycott Champions Trophy 2025? ACB shares a message with PCB amid strong rumors

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has opened up about its participation in the Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to be played in Pakistan next year. Afghanistan Cricket Board officials have reportedly reassured Pakistan of their commitment to send their team for the ICC tournament in early 2025.

The Pakistan Cricket Board will host the Champions Trophy 2025 from February 19 to March 9, as per recent reports. It will be its first major cricket event since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup. The tournament will feature India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, and Afghanistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 entirely in Pakistan. However, India is likely to refuse travel to the neighboring country, which poses a major concern for the PCB. The Indian government may decide against sending their team to Pakistan for the tournament.

Afghanistan To Travel Pakistan For Champions Trophy 2025?

Earlier, reports suggested that Afghanistan might follow India by not participating in the Champions Trophy 2025. However, Afghanistan officials have reportedly dismissed these rumors, confirming their willingness to send a team for their first Champions Trophy event, scheduled for February-March 2025.

Afghanistan Cricket Board Chairman Mirwais Ashraf and CEO Naseeb Khan met with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi at the ICC’s annual meeting in Colombo. This meeting followed discussions about the Pakistan Cricket Board's desire to host the entire ICC tournament and its opposition to the hybrid model proposal.

During the meeting, Afghanistan Cricket Board officials confirmed to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi that Afghanistan will participate in the 2025 Champions Trophy. They dismissed rumors about potentially skipping the tournament, expressing eagerness to compete in their first Champions Trophy.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced plans to potentially organize a Youth Tri-Series with Pakistan and the UAE. Discussions also included arranging A team tours to Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Specific dates and venues for these events are yet to be finalized.

“The discussions also included A team tours to Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, and the possibility of a Youth Tri-Series against Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, with the dates and venues to be confirmed,” ACB stated in a press release.

No Dialogue Happened - BCCI Official

The ICC Annual Conference in Colombo did not address the 2025 Champions Trophy, as it was not on the agenda for the Annual General Meeting (AGM). A senior BCCI official confirmed that there were no discussions between the BCCI and PCB at the event.

“It wasn’t on the agenda so it wasn’t brought up or discussed during the Annual General Meeting,” says an official who attended the AGM.

“It isn’t a bilateral where two boards will hold discussions. No dialogue happened between us and PCB on the Champions Trophy. Since it wasn’t on any of the agendas, it wasn’t discussed during the AGM too. It is still time away and ICC will handle it,” says a top BCCI official.

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