PCB reacts to 'India's Champions Trophy refusal'

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied all claims about the Indian team refusing to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025.

PCB source told The Current, "All speculations about Indian cricket board's letter to PCB or India not coming to Pakistan are baseless. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi's press conference in Gaddafi Stadium on November 8 is the latest update on this issue."

Mohsin Naqvi said that there should be no politics in the game, and assured that the Board will continue preparations despite India not coming.

Mohsin Naqvi, while talking to the media after reviewing the ongoing development work at Gaddafi Stadium, said, "The Indian media has reported that the Indian team is not coming to Pakistan, but the Indian board has not yet informed us in writing about sending the team. If the Indian team informs us in writing, I will go to the government, and then we will follow the government's decision."

"For two months, there have been reports in the Indian media that their team is not coming. We want no politics in the game. There was no discussion about the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy, and there will be no discussion. Pakistan has always shown goodwill, but it should not be expected every time. If there is any situation, the CB should be informed in writing," he added.

The Indian media is claiming that the Indian Cricket Board has written to that the PCB that the team is not coming to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCC) is demanding to hold the matches of the Indian team in Dubai, while the BCCI informed the authorities about their concerns that they want to play the matches at neutral venues and Dubai is the best place for that, as per Indian media.

On the other hand, there was news that the government of Pakistan is likely to make tough decisions regarding India's refusal to come to the Champions Trophy. The government is considering that if India does not come, then Pakistan will never play any match with India in the future.

The government is considering that until the relations with India improve, they will not play any match with India in any tournament. Pakistan always makes goodwill gestures, but India always involves politics.

If India didn't come to Pakistan and the host country doesn't agree on the hybrid model, then there is a strong chance that Sri Lanka will replace India.