Host Pakistan to learn ICC Champions Trophy fate, amid India travel ban
The International Cricket Council (ICC) faces a crucial meeting this week to decide the destiny of the upcoming Champions Trophy, an event that has become a flashpoint in the rivalry between nuclear-armed neighbors, India and Pakistan. The tension intensified when India refused to play in the host nation, citing political and security concerns.
This standoff leaves the eight-team tournament in a state of uncertainty, with the event’s fate hanging in the balance. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has firmly resisted suggestions for a neutral third country, emphasizing the importance of hosting the showcase event in its entirety within Pakistan.
The stakes are high for Pakistan, a country that has endured a multiyear drought of international cricket due to security concerns stemming from a 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in Lahore. Since then, international matches have gradually returned, with successful hosting of teams like Australia, England, and South Africa.
Pakistani cricket chiefs argue that the recent Asia Cup, where India’s matches were held outside the country, proved their capability to manage high-profile events. However, the ICC must now weigh these claims against the ongoing deteriorating political ties between the two nations.
The rivalry, deeply rooted in the subcontinent’s partition in 1947, extends beyond diplomacy and into the cricket field, where it often generates global excitement.
This year, Pakistan travelled to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup in October and November 2023, playing all its matches in the host nation despite strained relations.
Yet, India has not reciprocated by visiting Pakistan since 2008, further highlighting the political ties overshadowing their sporting relationship.
The PCB’s schedule, starting February 19 and concluding March 9, includes venues like Lahore, which holds symbolic significance for Pakistan’s cricketing legacy.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the ICC in Dubai confirmed to AFP that Friday’s agenda would cover the Champions Trophy issue, but refrained from providing further details.
If the event is successfully staged in Pakistan, it will mark the first ICC tournament held in the country since it co-hosted the 1996 World Cup alongside India and Sri Lanka.
As Friday approaches, the PCB remains adamant about its ability to deliver a secure and successful event. The defending holders of the 2017 Champions Trophy are determined to protect their hosting rights.
With decades of political and sporting tensions shaping the narrative, the ICC’s decision this week could redefine the future of cricket diplomacy in the region.