In a recent development, BCCI cast doubt on India’s participation in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and ruled out the possibility of a bilateral series due to security concerns and political tensions.
Travelling to Pakistan for cricket tournaments seems unlikely for India in the near future, according to sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This cast doubt on both India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for next year in Pakistan and the possibility of a bilateral series between the two arch-rivals.
On Tuesday, sources at the BCCI told IANS that Team India might not even travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. “Forget bilateral series… Team India may not even travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy,” stated the sources, as quoted by News18. This comes after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his hope that a bilateral series could be arranged if India participated in the Champions Trophy held in Pakistan.
The BCCI sources, however, indicated that a change of venue or a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy might be more realistic. “There might be a change of venue; a hybrid model is also possible,” they stated.
Security concerns and strained political relations between India and Pakistan were cited as key factors influencing the BCCI’s stance. “The Indian board would need permission from the government for travel; currently, our relations with Pakistan are not that good either,” the sources explained.
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They further emphasised the need for government approval for any travel to Pakistan. “Champions Trophy is an ICC event, so it would be a tough call for India, but nothing without the government’s order or green signal,” they concluded.
With both the Champions Trophy and a bilateral series seemingly off the table, cricket fans are hoping to witness the power-packed India-Pakistan clash on June 9th, as they will be facing each other in the group stages of the T20 World Cup.
Last Updated on April 23, 2024
