With a hybrid model of the Champions Trophy set to be hosted by Pakistan in 2025, India’s participation cannot be decided by the ICC if there is a government policy against it.
Will ICC ask BCCI to go against its Own Government’s Policy to play in the Champions Trophy 2025
The ICC board meeting is currently held in Dubai where discussions about the Stop Clock Rule and the upcoming Champions Trophy in 2025.
The champions’ trophy will be held in February-March 2025 which is not on the agenda but newly-elected PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has stated that he wants to speak with BCCI secretary Jay Shah as well as ICC officials seeking some assurance of India’s participation.
However, an ICC board member feels that BCCI’s decision will only be taken closer to the tournament, and once again, the idea of using UAE as the potential venue cannot be entirely discarded.
“Every member can raise concerns for discussion at Board meetings and then it would go to a vote. But if the government (of a member nation) expressly says that they can’t play there, ICC would need to look for an alternative,” said an official.
“….because ICC Board’s position remains that it doesn’t expect its members to go against any policy/instructions issued by its own government,” he said.
Recently England, Australia, and New Zealand have all traveled to Pakistan and BCCI will also be under pressure to visit the strife-torn country for the multi-nation engagement.
When asked if India would lead to a vote against the country, the source said such a situation would not arise if there is a government directive.
“Don’t forget threat perception for an Indian cricket team would always be higher compared to Australia, England, and New Zealand,” said a former BCCI official.
However, the possibilities are higher when it comes to the Indian Cricket team featuring superstars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant.
“The BCCI would be compelled to look at it from the point of view that the Pakistan government allowed its team to play in the World Cup in India last year.
“So, this being a global event and not a continental one like the Asia Cup, the Indian government might take a softer stance. BCCI president Roger Binny and VP Rajiv Shukla had traveled to Pakistan during the Asia Cup,” hoped the ICC board member.
The Champions Trophy was introduced in 1998 and is played between the top eight teams in the ICC ODI rankings. The last edition was played in 2017 in England.
The Indian government hasn’t allowed its team to travel to Pakistan to play in Asia Cup 2023 where India played their match in Sri Lanka.
With the Champions Trophy set to be played for two months in the UAE and three internationals ready for use, it could be the second country in a Hybrid Model in case India doesn’t want to travel to Pakistan.
The eight teams are expected to be divided into two groups and India’s group matches will be scheduled in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
