PCB wants BCCI to formally agree to their participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan
Before agreeing to send the Pakistan Cricket Board to India for the ODI World Cup in 2023, Chairman Najam Sethi is expected to obtain a written guarantee from BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) Secretary Jay Shah regarding India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. The two cricket governing bodies have been at odds over who will host the Asia Cup in 2023.
Although Pakistan was awarded the right to host the 2022 tournament, Indian Prime Minister Jay Shah vetoed Indian participation, citing political tensions between the two countries that have prevented Indian citizens from visiting Pakistan since 2008. As a result, the BCCI prefers to hold the event somewhere other than Pakistan.
Najam Sethi, angered by India’s position, has repeatedly opted not to send his squad to the ODI World Cup 2023, which will be hosted by India later this year. According to a report on IndiaTV, the PCB wants the BCCI’s General Secretary to formally commit that India will visit Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 before agreeing to send the team to India.
On May 8, Sethi will go to Dubai to continue talks with ACC and ICC authorities about the issue. A PCB insider has stated that the board’s chairman has met with Pakistani officials to discuss the Asia Cup and has developed a hybrid model proposal that he plans to offer to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
The insider also said that if Pakistan doesn’t obtain the hosting rights to the Asia Cup, they won’t be taking part in the event and that Sethi is no longer prepared to wait for the locations to be finalized.
PCB wants BCCI to formally agree to their participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan
In 2012–13, India and Pakistan last competed in a bilateral series; since then, they have only met in international competitions like the Asia Cup and the World Cup. After the 2008 Asia Cup, when India last visited Pakistan, ties between the two countries were severely damaged by the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. If the two boards can come to an agreement in the next few weeks, cricket fans from both countries will be treated to exciting matchups in the next Asia Cup and One-Day International World Cup.
“Sethi has recently met with some government officials and also obtained advice from them on whether Pakistan should play in the Asia Cup if it is not held in Lahore and Dubai as proposed by the PCB under its hybrid model plan to the ACC. Sethi is expected to make it very clear to the ACC members that either they accept Pakistan’s hybrid proposal or the PCB will not take part in the competition this year if it is moved from Pakistan,” the PCB source was quoted as saying by IndiaTV.
“Apparently, Sethi has now realized that it is time for some hard decisions and is not willing to accept any more delays from the ACC on the finalization of venues and schedule for the Asia Cup. Sethi is clear now no Asia Cup matches in Pakistan, no Pakistan team in Asia Cup,” the source added.
In other news Amol Majumdar wants Ishan Kishan to replace KL Rahul in India’s squad for the World Test Championship final
