"We are very clear about it" - BCCI vice-president says India will follow government's directive for 2025 Champions Trophy

The 2025 Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played in Pakistan. However, India's unwillingness to play on Pakistani soil has emerged to be a massive challenge for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Commenting on India's stance, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla asserted that the board's decision was based on the government's directive. He confirmed that the BCCI has already communicated the same to the ICC as well.

Speaking to ANI, Shukla commented on the 2025 Champions Trophy conundrum:

"We are very clear about it and it's our policy that - whatever the govt asks us, whatever the direction it gives, we will do according to that - we have conveyed this to ICC as well.."

It is worth mentioning that India have not toured Pakistan for a cricket match since the 2008 Asia Cup. The two last squared off against each other in a bilateral series in 2012-13. The two arch-rivals continue to meet in ICC and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournaments.

Pakistan were the host of the 2023 Asia Cup. However, a hybrid model was implemented following India's reluctance to travel to the neighboring country. All of India's matches, including the final, were played in Sri Lanka.

While India have been vocal about their stance to not play cricket on Pakistani soil, the Men in Green have visited India for ICC events, with the most recent instance being the 2023 ODI World Cup.

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"There’s always the uncertainty of security in Pakistan" - Danish Kaneria on 2025 Champions Trophy hosting dilemma

Former Pakistani spinner Danish Kaneria opined that while many international teams have toured Pakistan in the recent past, India cannot be compared to any of them.

He emphasized that the security concerns with India are much higher due to the tumultuous relationship between the two countries. Commenting on the BCCI-PCB stalemate over the 2025 Champions Trophy, Kaneria told IANS (via News18):

"The issue was ongoing for long that India will not travel to Pakistan for political and other reasons. They have an option of the hybrid model as they did in the Asia Cup but things should be settled as Pakistan travelled to India for ODI World Cup last year. If Pakistan go to the international court (CAS) what will they achieve out of it? There’s always the uncertainty of security in Pakistan. International teams are coming but security concerns are much higher with the Indian team."

The 2025 Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played next year in February and March. The trophy has already reached Pakistan, the defending champions, and will be toured across different cities. The tour is set to kick off on Saturday, November 16, in Islamabad.