LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to take formal action following India’s decision to pull out of the upcoming Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan. The PCB will soon send a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC), sources confirmed.
The letter, expected to be dispatched within the next two days, will follow the guidance given by the Pakistani government. After extensive legal consultations, the PCB intends to ask the ICC for a clear explanation regarding the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) refusal to send its team to Pakistan for the prestigious tournament.
According to sources, the PCB aims to present a firm position, aligned with the government’s stance, in its letter to the ICC. The letter will request the BCCI to provide a detailed, written justification for their decision. Earlier, the BCCI had informed the ICC verbally about their unwillingness to participate in the tournament in Pakistan, the sources said. Following this, the ICC sent a formal notice to the PCB, confirming India’s withdrawal.
In response, the PCB consulted with the government to chart the best course of action. The board will also reach out to other cricket boards to inform them about India’s decision and to rally support for Pakistan’s position.
The PCB’s letter to the ICC will not only seek an explanation but will also emphasize the potential repercussions of India’s absence on the tournament and international cricket relations. A major concern is the financial impact, as the absence of India and Pakistan in the same tournament could significantly affect ICC revenues.
Furthermore, the PCB has been instructed by the federal government to firmly reject any proposal for a hybrid model of the Champions Trophy, which would involve hosting some matches outside Pakistan. The government has made it clear that it does not support holding any games outside the country.
This comes as Pakistan adopts a more assertive approach to its sports diplomacy with India. The government and PCB are determined to challenge what they perceive as the politicization of sports by India, particularly in the cricketing arena.
The Champions Trophy is scheduled for February-March next year, and the PCB’s actions signal a shift in Pakistan’s stance on cross-border sports relations. The board and government are committed to protecting the integrity of the tournament and ensuring that it is held in Pakistan, as initially planned.
