New Delhi:
As the cricket world gears up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, a new controversy has erupted, highlighting the deep-seated tensions between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The latest dispute revolves around the BCCI’s decision to exclude the host nation’s name, ‘Pakistan,’ from Team India’s jerseys for the tournament.
This move has sparked significant criticism, with many accusing the BCCI of politicizing the sport. The issue is the latest in a series of contentious decisions that have marred the build-up to the Champions Trophy. India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security concerns, had already led to a hybrid hosting arrangement where India’s matches will be held in Dubai, despite Pakistan being the official host.
The BCCI’s stance on the jersey issue has been met with strong opposition from the PCB. According to a PCB official, the decision to omit ‘Pakistan’ from the jerseys is a clear example of the BCCI bringing politics into cricket. “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 for the opening ceremony, now there are reports that they don’t want the host nation’s name printed on their jersey,” the official stated, emphasizing the belief that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will not support the BCCI’s stance and will instead back Pakistan.
The hybrid model adopted for the tournament, which allows matches to be played in both Pakistan and Dubai, was a compromise after India’s refusal to send their team to Pakistan. This arrangement has been agreed upon by the PCB and the ICC, but it has not alleviated the tensions between the two cricket boards. The BCCI’s refusal to send Captain Rohit Sharma to Pakistan for the captains’ meet, a traditional curtain-raiser event for the Champions Trophy, has further exacerbated the situation.
The PCB has expressed its disappointment over these decisions, arguing that they undermine the spirit of the game. The board believes that the ICC should intervene to prevent such politicization and ensure that all teams are treated equally. The new agreement, which prevents the PCB from sending their team to India for future ICC events, adds another layer of complexity to the already strained relationship between the two boards.
With the Champions Trophy set to begin on February 19, these controversies have cast a shadow over what promises to be an exciting tournament. India’s matches, including their high-stakes encounter against Pakistan on February 23, will be played in Dubai, adding to the logistical and emotional complexity of the event.
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