Hyderabad: Minister of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has asserted that the Border for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued statement saying that there are security concerns there and hence it is highly unlikely that Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the highly anticipated ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal while addressing the media said, "The BCCI has issued a statement... They have said that there are security concerns there and therefore it is unlikely that the team will be going there."
#WATCH | Delhi: On Indian cricket team participating in Pakistan, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, " ... the bcci has issued a statement... they have said that there are security concerns there and therefore it is unlikely that the team will be going there..." pic.twitter.com/qRJPYPejZd
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2024
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board's virtual meeting was scheduled Friday, November 29, 2024. The team is aiming to finalise the dates and venues for the Champions Trophy. The meeting will include 12 full ICC members, three associate members, and the ICC Chair, bringing the total to 16 voting members.
Pakistan have the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy, scheduled to be played in early 2025. However, India refused to travel to Pakistan, citing security concerns. The stand-off between the two board has led to a delay in announcement of the schedule. Pakistan are not in favour of a hybrid model, which will allow India to play their matches at a neutral venue. PCB on Thursday said that it will not accept the Hybrid model for the Champions Trophy.
"I can confirm that PCB has a few hours back told the ICC that a Hybrid Model is not acceptable to them,” a source told PTI. "I can confirm initially the PCB had looked at the possibility of a Hybrid model on the condition that if India can’t play in Pakistan, then in future there would be Hybrid models in all ICC events in India right until 2031 (ODI World Cup in India and Bangladesh) as Pakistan would not go and play in India," the source added.
Another source confirmed that the PCB has reminded the ICC to clarify whether the BCCI submitted a written letter from their government indicating that clearance was not granted for the Indian team to play in Pakistan.
"Under ICC regulations if any team says its government is not allowing it to play in another nation on whatever grounds that board has to submit their government’s directives in writing which we have not seen so far," the source said.
Meanwhile, hours before the ICC Board meeting, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla confirmed the Indian government's stance, stressing that players' safety will be of the utmost importance for India.
"Our discussions are going on. A decision will be taken after looking at the situation. Our top priority is the safety of the players. Hybrid mode is also an option; discussions are going on," Rajeev Shukla said.
Before the Asia Cup 2023, which was also held in a hybrid model, Pakistan last hosted a major tournament in 2008 -- the men's 50-over Asia Cup.
