PCB Considers Withdrawal from ICC Champions Trophy Amid BCCI's Refusal to Tour Pakistan

LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is contemplating legal action and possibly withdrawing from the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled for February 2025, following the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) announcement that it will not send its team to Pakistan, sources reveal.

The BCCI has communicated to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it lacks government clearance to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. In response, the ICC has formally notified the PCB of the BCCI's position.

Amidst this impasse, there has been talk of a hybrid model where India’s matches could be played in Dubai. However, the PCB remains frustrated with India's reluctance to visit Pakistan, citing the significant financial implications and the infrastructural investments made in anticipation of hosting the event. Over the past months, millions have been spent on upgrading facilities in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi to meet international standards.

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has already met with the legal team to discuss potential strategies, including approaching the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee. This move comes after an expected ICC delegation visit to Pakistan to announce the tournament schedule was abruptly cancelled.

The situation remains fluid, with the PCB exploring all available options. This development marks another chapter in the ongoing tensions between the two cricketing nations, which have not played a bilateral series in each other's country for over a decade due to political and security concerns.

Stay tuned to Alayaran.com for further updates on this developing story.

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