Pakistan is set to host the Champions Trophy 2025, with the tournament kicking off on February 19. However, in an unusual arrangement, India will play all its matches in Dubai rather than in Pakistan, sparking controversy even before the event begins.
According to a report by the Times of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed reluctance for Indian players to wear jerseys bearing the name of the host nation, Pakistan. This demand is being viewed as a potential violation of the ICC’s official clothing guidelines, which require teams to display the host country’s name on their kits.
Interestingly, this issue comes despite precedents where Pakistan, in similar situations, adhered to the rules. During the 2021 T20 World Cup, held entirely in the UAE, Pakistan sported jerseys with India’s name as the official host. The same was done during the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup, both hosted by India.
An ICC insider commented on the situation, saying, “The ICC has already accommodated India’s request to play their matches outside Pakistan, so these smaller matters shouldn’t be a concern.”
The tensions between the two cricket boards don’t end there. Reports indicate that Indian captain Rohit Sharma will skip the captains’ press conference and official photo shoot, traditionally held in the host country.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed frustration over what they see as political interference in cricket. After agreeing to the hybrid hosting model for the tournament, the PCB feels that India’s new demands are crossing the line.
A PCB official, speaking anonymously to IANS, stated, “The BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is damaging to the spirit of the game. First, they refused to travel to Pakistan, then their captain won’t attend the opening ceremony, and now there are reports about the jerseys. We expect the ICC to uphold fairness and support Pakistan in this matter.”
The 2025 Champions Trophy, a highly anticipated event in the cricketing calendar, will begin on February 19. India is scheduled to play its first match against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. However, the ongoing disagreements between the BCCI and PCB are casting a shadow over the tournament’s preparations, raising questions about the unity and spirit of international cricket.
