ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India withdraw from marquee tournament in Pakistan amid BCCI vs PCB feud

India has withdrawn from the Blind T20 World Cup in Pakistan amid tensions regarding the upcoming edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. As per a report in India Today, the Blind Cricket team pulled out of the tournament after the Ministry of External Affairs did not grant clearance for travel.

The 4th Men's Blind T20 World Cup is set to take place from November 22 to December 4. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has issued a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the Indian team to participate, but they are unable to travel to Pakistan without clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs.

India Denied to Travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025

The Indian government's decision to deny permission for the Blind Cricket team to travel to Pakistan follows the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) stance on not sending the men's cricket team for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Notably, the Champions Trophy is unlikely to be held without India.

India is the defending champion of the Blind T20 World Cup, having won all three editions held in 2012, 2017, and 2022. India defeated Bangladesh by 120 runs in the 2022 final at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The Indian team set a strong total of 277/2 and restricted Bangladesh to 157/3.

We Can't Wait Any Longer - Shailendra Yadav

Shailendra Yadav, the general secretary of the Indian Blind Cricket Association, confirmed that the Ministry of External Affairs denied permission for the team to travel. Yadav said that they wouldn't be granted clearance. He added that the association decided to withdraw based on the verbal communication.

“We were waiting for the last 25 days to get permission from the government to go to Pakistan. Now we can’t wait any longer as the tournament is about to begin,” Yadav told India Today.

"When I talked with the Ministry of External affairs (MEA) on the phone then they told us that we won't be getting any permission to go to Pakistan and we can cancel your tournament."

"They also told us that we will be getting an official letter of denial as well. However, we haven’t got any official letter yet but on the basis of our conversation with MEA we’ve decided not to go to Pakistan and we will not participate in the Blind T20 World Cup."

Pakistan Will Get A free Walkover - Shailendra Yadav

Shailendra Yadav said that India, along with England, Australia, and New Zealand, will not be participating in the Blind T20 World Cup. He stated that the hard work of the players would go in vain.

Yadav also added that the absence of these teams would give Pakistan a walkover. He further mentioned that the decision was made as they had to withdraw with little time left, since the team was scheduled to depart on November 20, and no change seemed possible at such short notice.

"Along with us, England, Australia and New Zealand are also not coming. Hence, India will become the fourth team which will not take part in this tournament. However, it’s a bit sad for cricket in general as cricket is a game for everyone. The match between India and Pakistan is watched intently by fans and both are really good sides. Now Pakistan will get a free walkover and it’s also tragic for the players who’ve been working hard for a long time."

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