ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India, Pakistan engaged in secret talks over tournament? Foreign office breaks silence

On Thursday, November 14, Pakistan's Foreign Office shut down the rumors of the behind-the-scenes diplomatic discussions with India over the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The spokesperson of the Foreign Office, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, stated that there was no back channel diplomacy going on after India's refusal to visit Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India all set to host the tournament if Pakistan....

India not to play Champions Trophy in Pakistan

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian government has denied permission to send Team India to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The marquee is scheduled to be played from February 19 to March 9 but the full schedule of the competition is yet to be announced. Reportedly, an event was scheduled on November 11 where the schedule was set to be announced, but it had to be canceled after India's rejection to visit Pakistan.

According to the tentative schedule, Team India were set to play all their matches in Lahore, which is set to host the matches in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 alongside Rawalpindi and Karachi.

However, with India's rejection to visit Pakistan, reports emerged about the competition being played in the Hybrid Model, with the Men In Blue playing their matches in UAE or Sri Lanka.

Now, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked for a response from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 in Hybrid Model.

The PCB is yet to officially respond to ICC but reports claim that they are totally against the Hybrid Model and would pull out of the competition if this model is adopted.

There is no back channel with India to specifically discuss the Champions Trophy - Mumtaz Zahra Baloch

Amid the rising tensions between the two countries and cricket boards, the spokesperson of the Foreign Office, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, was asked questions at the weekly press briefing regarding the status of the Champions Trophy 2025.

Mumtaz made it clear that they were not having any back-channel discussions with India regarding the competition or resumption of the cricketing ties.

“There is no back channel with India to specifically discuss the Champions Trophy and bilateral Cricket between Pakistan and India,” she said, as quoted by PTI.

Pakistan has always said that sports should not be politicised - Mumtaz Zahra Baloch

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch further said that sports should never be mixed with politics. Also, she refused to provide any other specific details related to the Champions Trophy and said that the Pakistan Cricket Board would provide clarification soon.

“Pakistan has always said that sports should not be politicised,” she said.

“We would refer you to the Pakistan Cricket Board for any comments or clarification with regards to this issue,” she added.

Meanwhile, the trophy tour of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to begin very soon. In an official statement issued on X, PCB stated:

"Get ready, Pakistan! The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour kicks off in Islamabad on 16 November, also visiting scenic travel destinations like Skardu, Murree, Hunza and Muzaffarabad. Catch a glimpse of the trophy which Sarfaraz Ahmed lifted in 2017 at The Oval, from 16-24 November."

Get ready, Pakistan!

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour kicks off in Islamabad on 16 November, also visiting scenic travel destinations like Skardu, Murree, Hunza and Muzaffarabad. Catch a glimpse of the trophy which Sarfaraz Ahmed lifted in 2017 at The Oval, from 16-24… pic.twitter.com/SmsV5uyzlL

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 14, 2024