Pakistan adopts 'tough stance' on sporting relations with India amid Champions Trophy dispute

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In a significant escalation of tensions between the neighboring countries, the Pakistani government has taken a firm stance on its sporting relations with India, following BCCI's refusal to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Sources within the government confirmed that Pakistan  is now prepared to withdraw from any future cricket encounters with India unless the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reciprocates by sending its team to Pakistan.

This bold decision marks a shift in Pakistan's approach to cross-border sports diplomacy and signals a growing resolve to address what Islamabad views as the politicization of sports by India. The Pakistani government’s tough position stems from its frustration with India's refusal to participate in cricket events hosted by Pakistan, a matter that has increasingly become entangled with broader political issues.

In response to India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, the Government has signaled that it will no longer engage in any cricket matches with India unless the Indian team agrees to tour Pakistan.

The government’s position was confirmed by insiders who have been briefed on the matter.

“We will not participate in any event against India unless they agree to play in Pakistan,” one of the sources stated. This move has led to speculation about the future of bilateral cricket relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, whose sporting ties have been severely affected by their ongoing political tensions.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had previously been in negotiations with the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to take place in Pakistan in February-March 2025. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently notified the ICC that the Indian government had formally barred its team from traveling to Pakistan for the event.

In light of the ongoing standoff, the Pakistan Cricket Board has made it clear that it will not accept a “hybrid model” for the Champions Trophy, which would see some matches played in Pakistan while others are held at neutral venues. A PCB source confirmed that the board has been directed by the Pakistani government to reject any such proposals, reinforcing the position that the tournament must be hosted entirely in Pakistan.

"Pakistan will not play any Champions Trophy matches outside of Pakistan,” the source stated, underscoring the country’s resolve to ensure that the tournament is held within its borders as planned. The PCB has also been instructed to stand firm on this issue, even at the risk of potential financial repercussions from the ICC.

The tensions between the two countries are not limited to cricket. Pakistan has also decided to lobby against India’s bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics. Sources revealed that the Pakistani government plans to formally communicate with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), raising concerns over India’s politicization of international sporting events.

Pakistan argues that India has allowed political disputes to overshadow the spirit of competition, particularly in cricket, and this has now extended to its Olympic aspirations.

The lobbying efforts are seen as part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to hold India accountable for its role in stalling cross-border sports diplomacy, a move that could have significant ramifications for India’s global sporting standing.

The Pakistani government has also emphasized that its stance on the Champions Trophy and its broader sporting relationship with India will impact the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) revenue. According to sources, the government believes that without the high-profile Pakistan-India matches, the ICC’s revenue streams would be significantly affected, as these encounters are among the most lucrative in world cricket.

“If India’s participation contributes to ICC’s revenue, the PCB’s role is equally crucial. The absence of Pakistan-India matches would undoubtedly hurt ICC revenues,” one source noted.

While Pakistan’s decision to take a hard line on these matters could have long-term consequences for its own cricketing future, the government has made it clear that it will not compromise on its position, even if it risks financial losses or further isolation in the world of international cricket.

As the ICC Champions Trophy draws nearer, the stand-off between Pakistan and India over the tournament looks set to continue, with both governments digging in their heels on the issue of cross-border sporting diplomacy.