BCCI's Latest Champions Trophy 'Gimmick' Leaves Pakistan Fuming & Fans Aren't Happy
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: The tussle between India and Pakistan over the Champions Trophy is far from over. After refusing to send its team to Pakistan for the mega event, the BCCI refused to send Indian captain Rohit Sharma across the border for the opening ceremony of the eight-team tournament.
The controversy around the tournament has reached new level after the BCCI’s latest decision.
© X/ICC
Usually, the name of the country which hosts the ICC tournament is written on the jersey of all the teams participating in the tournament, but the Indian team is not ready to feature Pakistan's name written on its jersey.
Pakistan Turns to ICC © X/ICC
According to reports, India has refused to have Pakistan written on its kits for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Furious with the BCCI’s decision, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has turned to the International Cricket Council to resolve the matter.
© X/therealPCB
According to news agency IANS, an unnamed PCB official expressed frustration over the matter and accused the Indian board of dragging politics into the sport.
“BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is not at all good for the game. They refused to travel to Pakistan. They don't want to send their captain (to Pakistan) for the opening ceremony, now there are reports that they don't want the host nation's (Pakistan) name printed on their jersey
“We believe that the world governing body (ICC) will not let this happen and support Pakistan,” a PCB official, who doesn’t wish to be named, told the news agncy.
Not only PCB, BCCI’s arbitrary decision to not have Pakistan engraved on their kits hasn’t gone down well a section of Indian supporters as well.
“I am all for all this gimmick but if you are doing it, do it whoheartedly. Boycott games against Pakistan in ICC tournament. Don't mint cash by intentionally grouping them together and making sure they are able to play as many matches as possible against each other,” commented one user.
© X/BCCI
The Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on February 19, with India kick-starting its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. The most anticipated clash of the tournament between India and Pakistan will be played on February 23.
Team India to Play in Dubai © X/ICC
After India refused to travel to Pakistan due to government’s non-clearance, it was decided that the Men In Blue will play their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai. The rest of the matches, that don’t feature India, will be played at three different venues in Pakistan – Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.
If Team India reaches the semi-finals and finals, then those matches will also be held in Dubai.