(Source X)
The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy is set to be hosted in Pakistan, marking the next major event on the ICC calendar. Scheduled between February and March 2025, the tournament’s landscape is clouded by uncertainty surrounding India’s participation, stemming from their longstanding avoidance of bilateral series with Pakistan since the 2012/13 season, due to diplomatic tensions rooted in the 2007 terror attacks.
Although both teams regularly meet in ICC events, the absence of bilateral series has created a palpable rift. Most recently, Pakistan faced defeat against India in the T20 World Cup 2024. The aftermath saw former Pakistani cricketer Tanvir Ahmed direct sharp criticism towards the Indian government and the BCCI. In an interview with a Dawn News sports journalist, he expressed dismay over the Indian media’s silence and the lack of clarity from the BCCI regarding their stance on participating in the upcoming tournament in Pakistan.
Tanvir’s frustration was evident as he vehemently urged the PCB not to accept any proposed hybrid models from the BCCI, highlighting the urgency and sensitivity surrounding the issue.
“The PCB should not agree to the hybrid model. The Pakistan cricket team went twice to India to play in 2016 and in 2023. Did our players not have any security concerns, our government did not deny them, instead they gave us permission and our players went to play in the World Cup. These people are lying,” said the former Pakistan cricketer.
He added that the Indian government and the BCCI would exert influence on the ICC to arrange the tournament in a hybrid model that suits their preferences.
“The Indian government and the cricket board will now pressurize the ICC for the hybrid model, They are liars. They will say to the ICC that the government is not permitting us to go to Pakistan. When the Pakistan cricket team went to India for the ODI World Cup, I told back then that the Indian government would now allow their players to travel to Pakistan” Tanvir further said.
“ICC and India are one, there’s no problem. They know they have ICC in their hands. If ICC agrees to the hybrid model demands, then it means they are below India (in terms of power). Band karo ICC.”
He further criticized the Indian media for speculating on the possibility of the tournament adopting a hybrid model for India’s matches. He questioned the credibility of the Indian media’s portrayal of the issue and criticized how it has been sensationalized.
Turning to another angle, with India set to host the 2026 T20 World Cup, the show’s anchor raised a pertinent concern. He noted that if India is advocating for a hybrid model now, they may encounter similar resistance if Pakistan and other cricketing nations refuse to travel to India for ICC events.
In a related development from May, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla stated that the Indian team’s participation in the Pakistan tournament hinges on approval from the Central government.
