England has reportedly expressed concerns about participating in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan if India refuses to participate. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is wary of the implications of India pulling out due to ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has indicated that India will only travel to Pakistan for the tournament if their central government permits it.
If India opts out, England might consider following suit, which could impact the tournament significantly. There are also discussions about moving the Champions Trophy to a neutral venue if India does not agree to play in Pakistan.
The PCB, however, remains optimistic that all teams, including India, will participate, dismissing concerns about relocation. The final decision is yet to be made, but it highlights the complexities involved in hosting multinational tournaments amid political tensions.
England Cricket Chairman said, “it wouldn’t be in cricket’s interests if India doesn’t play Champions Trophy. I know Pakistan are expecting India to travel, but there are lots of different alternatives and contingencies available”. (Espncricinfo). pic.twitter.com/UQ1TWeoRvP
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ECB chairman Richard Thompson said, “It would not be in cricket’s interests for India not to be playing in the Champions Trophy. It’s interesting, with Jay Shah – the former secretary of the BCCI and now chair of the ICC – who is going to have a big role to play in that. There’s geopolitics, and then there’s cricketing geopolitics. I think they’ll find a way. They have to find a way.”
He further added, “There are always security concerns in this part of the world when those two countries play each other. That will probably drive the key decisions. But I know relationships between the two countries are as amicable as they can be at the moment: we saw it play out at the men’s T20 World Cup in New York.”