'It is mandatory...,' PCB gives stern warning to BCCI over not travelling for Champions Trophy 2025

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked for a written proof from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in case India denies travelling to the neighbouring country for the Champions trophy 2025.

The statement, shared by a source working closely with PCB to news agency PTI, comes after reports of Indian cricket team not travelling to Pakistan for the ICC tournament.

"If the India government declines permission, it has to be in writing and it is mandatory on the BCCI to provide that letter to the ICC now," the PCB source told PTI.

"It is a fact that we are insistent that the BCCI must inform the ICC about its travel plans to Pakistan at least 5-6 months before the tournament and in writing," the source added.

Notably, the two nations have been a loggerheads due to political tensions since long. Most recently, India decided not to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2024. India's matches in the regional tournament were instead hosted by Sri Lanka.

Pakistan, on the other hand, travelled to India for the 2024 ODI World Cup which was played soon after the Asia Cup.

The latest reports reveal that BCCI officials will speak to ICC on the change in venue to Dubai or Sri Lanka during the next annual conference, if the opposite happens and ICC decides against doing it, Team India could face some repercussions.

“In the case of the Champions Trophy, we will do whatever the Government of India will tell us to do. We send our team only when the Government of India permits us to do so. So, we will go according to the decision of the Indian government,” BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla said, as quoted by the Hindustan Times.

If the BCCI remains firm on its stance of not allowing Team India to travel to Pakistan (and the venues remain the same), they will be disqualified from participating, making Sri Lanka eligible to replace them.