PCB chairman still hopeful to organise ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is waiting for the response of the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy. PCB chairman is still hopeful to host the entire tournament successfully. 

Pakistan is getting ready to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which has been scheduled for February. It will be the first ICC tournament in Pakistan after the ICC Cricket World Cup 1996. Apart from the hosts and defending champions Pakistan, India, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan will participate in this tournament.

Recently, the BCCI officially informed the ICC that they will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. 

We are still waiting for their response: PCB chairman

A week ago, the PCB wrote to the ICC to get clarity on BCCI’s negative decision to play in Pakistan at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The PCB has also written to the BCCI to clarify in writing its stance on informing the governing body of the date mentioned. The PCB is still waiting for the responses.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said, "We have sent them [ICC] the questions we had. We are still waiting for their response. I believe that sports and politics are separate and no country should mix the two. Even now I still have positive expectations about the Champions Trophy."

Nobody has any issues: Mohsin Naqvi

Talking about the BCCI’s negative response, Naqvi clarified that all other teams were ready to play in Pakistan at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The PCB chairman also added that the BCCI could talk with them about the concerns.  

Naqvi added, "At this moment, every team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come. Nobody has any issues. I will say today also, if India has any concerns, speak to us about them, we can ease those concerns. I don't think there is any reason for them not to visit."

Pakistan's pride is of primary importance: PCB chairman

The PCB chairman was asked about his views on any possible boycott of the tournament if its hosting rights were taken away. In response, Naqvi claimed, "Pakistan's pride is of primary importance." 

After visiting seven other participating countries, the ICC Champions Trophy tour will enter Pakistan in January. While the PCB announced an original route of the trophy tour in Pakistan, the BCCI had an objection to its travel in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan Administered Kashmir. While the PCB has altered the destination, the board hasn’t cancelled it yet. 

On this matter, Naqvi said, "My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, that are they an organisation for all the world's bodies. And that route has been rescheduled, we haven't been told about any cancellation."