ICC Champions Trophy 2025 without Pakistan team!! PCB issues Boycott threat to ICC

India's decision not to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 may provoke a strong response from Pakistan. Reportedly, the Pakistan Government is likely to order the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to consider withdrawing from the tournament entirely in response.

Pakistan Government's reported reaction came after an official communication from the International Cricket Council (ICC) to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), confirming India's stance against traveling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 set for February 19 to March 9 action.

Pakistan considers pulling out over India's refusal to visit for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

A PCB spokesperson stated: “The PCB has received an email from the ICC, stating that the BCCI has informed them that their team will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The PCB has forwarded that email to the government of Pakistan for their advice and guidance.”

Read Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: ICC threatens to shift tournament to South Africa amid Pakistan-India dispute

The Champions Trophy, returning to the ICC's schedule after seven years, might undergo format changes. As the BCCI conveyed that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan, a proposed "hybrid" model could have an option for their matches at a neutral venue, likely in the UAE, while the remainder of the tournament is to be held in Pakistan.

However, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as an interior minister in Pakistan, has reportedly rejected the hybrid option that they adopted for the Asia Cup 2023, with India playing all matches in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan rejects hybrid model for Champions Trophy 2025, likely to withdraw if ICC shifts venue

If the International Cricket Council (ICC) decides to move the entire Champions Trophy 2025 out of Pakistan, this could lead to a controversial withdrawal by Pakistan from the prestigious tournament.

According to Dawn, a PCB source revealed: “In such a case, one of the options the government is mulling is that of asking the PCB to ensure Pakistan doesn’t participate in the Champions Trophy.”

The PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has made it clear that they will not accept the hybrid solution for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as Pakistan already traveled to India for the 2016 T20 World Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup, and now it’s their turn.

Read Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan declares war on India’s 2036 Olympic bid in retaliation to CT stance

Political tension continues to impact India-Pakistan cricket relations, as the two nations have not engaged in bilateral series outside of multination tournaments since 2013. Additionally, India last played in Pakistan over 16 years ago, and they yet again shut the door on returning to the country.

Pakistan set to host major ICC event for the first time since 1996

Pakistan is set to host its first major international cricket event since 1996—the ICC Champions Trophy. This 50-over tournament will feature eight teams, and all seven teams are ready to travel to Pakistan.

Even the PCB has made almost all arrangements for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, so they are not in favor of yet again adopting the hybrid model for India only because of longstanding political issues.

Notably, Pakistan has not hosted international cricket from 2009 to 2015 following an attack on the Sri Lankan team bus by assassins 15 years ago. However, in the past few years, every major cricket-playing nation has been making frequent entries to the Asian country.