Pakistan may take India to court of arbitration for sport if 2025 Champions Trophy boycott persists

Pakistan is considering taking legal action if India refuses to visit Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled for February 19 to March 9, 2025. 

Due to long-standing political tensions, India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral cricket series in over a decade. However, Pakistan recently traveled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, hoping to set a precedent for cross-border participation in major tournaments.

According to Indian media reports, sources claim that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) proposed a hybrid model to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), allowing India to play its matches in Dubai rather than Pakistan. 

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly denied any such proposal, reaffirming that all matches will be hosted in Pakistan as planned. Pakistan’s firm stance indicates that if India opts out, Pakistan may escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a resolution.

Meanwhile, sources within the Pakistani government suggest that if India declines participation, Pakistan may reassess its approach to competing with India in future tournaments, with officials hinting at a potential boycott of matches with India until political relations improve. Pakistani officials stress that Pakistan has consistently made efforts to foster goodwill by sending its teams to India, yet Indian reluctance continues to bring politics into cricket.

Pakistan’s stance on the Champions Trophy remains firm, with government and PCB officials stating that India has no valid security or infrastructure concerns, as new stadiums and robust security protocols are in place. While a possible Indian boycott would lead to revenue losses for Pakistan, officials assert that India would also face financial repercussions if Pakistan enacts a boycott of its own. As a result, Pakistan is unwilling to accept any hybrid model for the Champions Trophy.

In a recent development, a cricket website reported that the BCCI informed the ICC that the Indian government has barred the national team from traveling to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. 

With eight teams set to compete, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 remains one of the marquee tournaments on the cricketing calendar, and the final decision on India’s participation is awaited with keen anticipation from fans and officials alike.