South Africa responds to the rumours of hosting Champions Trophy
Reports carried by Indian media outlets have claimed that Champions Trophy 2025 could shift from Pakistan to South Africa as India yet again creates a rift with the host country on where its matches are to be played.
Now, the South African Cricket Board's stance on the issue has come to light.
According to Samaa, sources in the South African Cricket Board have said that it is unaware of the rumors that Champions Trophy will be shifted to South Africa. No contact has yet been made with South Africa on the matter. There is no option for the South African Board to hold the Champions Trophy at such short notice. The Indian media has brought South Africa into the fray to influence Pakistan's hosting. The South African Board can't hold the Champions Trophy in a short time.
Sources said that there has been no discussion on the South Africa option in the ICC yet. The issue of shifting the Champions Trophy to South Africa in 2009 was different. The host of the 2009 Champions Trophy was Pakistan. Back then, Board members had expressed concerns over security.
In the current situation, all important board members' teams have visited Pakistan. No country, including England, Australia, or New Zealand, expressed any concerns or reservations before coming to Pakistan. The Indian media has completely abandoned the idea of shifting the Champions Trophy to South Africa. The ICC has not yet considered this matter.
India has refused to participate in Champions Trophy 2025, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is standing firm, creating problems for the ICC.
Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sought answers to important questions in a letter written to the head of the International Cricket Council (ICC) after India refused to come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
The PCB wrote a letter to the ICC on Tuesday after India refused to come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
According to Geo, vital answers have been sought in the letter written by the PCB to the head of the ICC.
The PCB has asked the ICC when exactly did the Indian Cricket Board inform them that the Indian cricket team will not be able to participate in the Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan. PCB has also asked whether the Indian Cricket Board has informed the ICC in writing about its refusal. The PCB has also asked the next question: if India has refused in writing to come to Pakistan, then what are the reasons for it.
PCB asked the ICC for a copy of the Indian Cricket Board's written notice so that the reasons on the basis of which the decision was taken can be reviewed.