Islamabad/New Delhi (Nov 15, 2024) — The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) recent decision to include areas in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PoK) in the promotional tour for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has escalated tensions with India. The move, seen by some as a deliberate provocation, comes amid ongoing diplomatic strains between the two nations, casting uncertainty over India’s participation in the prestigious cricket tournament.
Controversy Over Trophy Tour in Disputed Region
The PCB announced that the trophy tour for the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off in Islamabad on November 16, with plans to take the trophy to several scenic locations, including Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad in PoK. These areas have been a point of contention between India and Pakistan, with India claiming the entire Kashmir region as its own. The announcement has sparked backlash in India, which views the move as an attempt by Pakistan to assert its control over the disputed territory.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has not taken kindly to this development, with Indian officials calling it an “unnecessary provocation” at a time when relations between the two countries are already fraught. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs is reportedly considering lodging a formal protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
India’s Participation in Doubt
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that India will not send its cricket team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy, citing security concerns and unresolved diplomatic issues. This has put the ICC in a difficult position, as excluding India—the sport’s biggest market—could severely impact the tournament’s commercial success.
A senior BCCI official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, “India cannot compromise on security. The government has made it clear that permission will not be granted for our team to play in Pakistan.”
The ICC, facing pressure from both sides, is reportedly exploring alternative solutions, including a hybrid model where India’s matches could be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, there are also rumors that the ICC might consider shifting the entire tournament out of Pakistan if a resolution cannot be reached. For now, the PCB remains adamant about moving forward with the event on home soil.
PCB’s Response and Broader Strategy
PCB Chairman Mohsin Raza Naqvi, who also holds a federal ministerial position, expressed disappointment over India’s decision to skip the tournament. “We have the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy, and we are committed to showcasing Pakistan’s passion for cricket to the world. The inclusion of PoK in the tour was meant to highlight the beauty of these regions, not to provoke India,” Naqvi stated in a press conference.
The PCB has long used high-profile visits to PoK by foreign dignitaries and now, sports events, as a way to assert its claims over the region. Critics in India see this as part of a broader strategy to gain international recognition for Pakistan’s control over the disputed territory.
See also: India Refuses to Travel to Pakistan for 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, PCB Expresses Disappointment
ICC’s Delicate Balancing Act
The ICC’s position on this matter is becoming increasingly precarious. With India being one of the biggest stakeholders in global cricket, the ICC must tread carefully to avoid alienating a key member. The cancellation of a major event scheduled for November 11 in Lahore—meant to mark the 100-day countdown to the Champions Trophy—has already shown signs of the challenges the ICC faces in finalizing tournament logistics amidst political tensions.
ICC insiders suggest that while the governing body is reluctant to change the venue at this stage, it may have little choice if India remains firm in its stance. “We are exploring all possible options to ensure that the tournament goes ahead smoothly,” said an ICC official. “We are hopeful of finding a compromise that works for all parties.”
Historical Context of Indo-Pak Cricket Relations
Cricket has long been a proxy for the larger geopolitical struggle between India and Pakistan. The two nations have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13 and have only faced each other in ICC tournaments or multi-nation events. Pakistan has hosted limited international cricket in recent years due to security concerns, following a 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team.
However, despite these tensions, the two countries have participated in major tournaments held in each other’s territory. Pakistan played in the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, while India has yet to set foot in Pakistan for a tournament in over a decade.
What’s Next?
As the Champions Trophy draws nearer, both sides appear to be digging in their heels. The PCB is pushing ahead with its plans, while India remains adamant that its team will not travel to Pakistan. The ICC will need to act swiftly to avoid a major crisis that could overshadow the tournament and set a dangerous precedent for the future of international cricket.
The world will be watching closely to see how the ICC navigates this diplomatic minefield. Will it side with India and consider relocating the tournament, or will it back Pakistan’s right to host the event as scheduled? For now, the fate of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy hangs in the balance, with much more than just cricket at stake.
