Defending champions Pakistan is all set to host the Champions Trophy 2025, as the tournament is alive after 7 long years.
England and Wales hosted the last Champion Trophy tournament back in 2017. In the finals, India was defeated by Pakistan by 180 runs.
However, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the mega tournament, citing security issues. The news was aired all over social media as India hadn’t traveled to Pakistan for any ICC tournament since the 2008 Mumbai terror strikes.
India also didn’t travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023 as the tournament was conducted on the hybrid model.
Also read: Mohammad Rizwan’s record of 6 catches in an ODI inning.
What if India didn’t travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy?
India has the independent right to send and reject its team to Pakistan, as it is the cricket board’s decision whether to send its team to the tournament, citing valid reasons to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
India has only refused to travel to Pakistan for now, which left India with only a few available options as solutions for them.
India can either skip the mega tournament scheduled in Pakistan for late February to early March or request BCCI to move the tournament to a neutral venue.
1. India can Skip the Tournament
India can skip the mega tournament, the Champions Trophy, scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan, as it is the Cricket Board’s independent decision to send its team to play the tournament.
However, there is a chance the ICC will request written clarification on the issues or look for the option to run the tournament with full teams.
Skipping the tournament will not only impact the ICC’s revenue generation from the tournament, as India has the world’s largest cricket fans and viewers, but also impact the spirit of the gentleman’s game, creating resentment among the cricketing nations.
Opting out of the Champions Trophy won’t be an ideal and easy decision for India, as they will host the Asia Cup 2025 and T20 World Cup 2026, which will also question the participation of Pakistan in that tournament.
Pakistan has traveled to India for the 2023 World Cup, and the event was conducted successfully.
2. Hybrid Model Tournament
(Board of Control for Cricket in India) BCCI has requested ICC to conduct the tournament in a hybrid model where India’s matches will be conducted in the UAE and the final match in Dubai if India qualifies for the finals.
According to Hindustan Times The PCB has confirmed that they received mail from the ICC on their decision on the conduct of the Champions Trophy in the hybrid model.
PCB is yet to give their decision on a hybrid model as of now as they want all matches to be played in Pakistan.
However, the ICC has clarified Pakistan would receive full hosting fees and the majority of the matches in Pakistan.
3. Change of Host Nations
Pakistan also has the option available for them to opt out of hosting the tournament, which will shift the entire tournament to either the UAE or any other nation.
However, if Pakistan pulls out as the host of the Champions Trophy, then the ICC will look to shift the tournament to South Africa.
There are very few chances of Pakistan opting out of the tournament as host as it will affect them financially, and there is a high probability of Pakistan agreeing to a hybrid-model tournament as of the Asia Cup 2023.
If the tournament is conducted on a hybrid model, then Pakistan may apply the same condition for the Asia Cup 2025 and T20 World Cup 2026, which is to be hosted by India.
What’s your opinion on India’s decision to refuse to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy? Comment below…