The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is to be hosted by Pakistan, but the Indian Team would be playing their matches in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, after the rejection by the Government of India. Following this incident, the BCCI once again showcased their power by refusing to print the name of hosts ‘Pakistan’ on their jerseys for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
A senior official from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in an interview with the news agency IANS, accused the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of introducing “politics into cricket” after the Indian board allegedly refused to have Pakistan’s name printed on Team India’s jerseys. Additionally, it was reported that the BCCI had declined to send Indian captain Rohit Sharma to Pakistan for the captains’ meet, a pre-event gathering for the Champions Trophy.
He stated, “BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is not at all good for the game. They refused to travel to Pakistan. They don’t want to send their captain for the opening ceremony, now there are reports that they don’t want the host nation’s (Pakistan) name printed on their jersey. We believe that the world governing body (ICC) will not let this happen and support Pakistan.”
The BCCI remained firm on its decision not to send Team India to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy, despite significant efforts and pressure from the PCB to change its stance. Ultimately, the PCB was compelled to accept India’s terms, though this agreement has sparked concerns about its long-term implications. The arrangement is likely to prevent the PCB from sending its team to India for future ICC events, further straining relations between the two cricket boards.
With the Champions Trophy now just a month away, fresh controversy continues to dominate the headlines. These ongoing disputes not only highlight the growing political undertones in cricket but also raise questions about the future of bilateral and multilateral cricketing ties between India and Pakistan. Fans and experts are left wondering how these tensions will impact the tournament and the broader cricketing landscape.
