The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to boycott the World Cup 2026 if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refuses to send its team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The reason why BCCI refuses to send the Indian team to play in Pakistan is the tensions between the two cricketing rivals.
The threat comes after reports that the BCCI has declined to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy, citing security concerns and logistical challenges.
In response, the PCB has taken a hardline stance, warning that they will not participate in the 2026 World Cup if India’s team is not present at the 2025 Champions Trophy.
“Pakistan have got the rights to host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and it should be held in Pakistan,” a senior PCB official was quoted as saying. “If India doesn’t come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, then we will also not participate in the 2026 World Cup.”
The official further added that the PCB is willing to explore a “hybrid model” for the Champions Trophy, where some matches could be held in a neutral venue. However, the BCCI has reportedly rejected this proposal, insisting that the entire tournament be played in Pakistan.
This latest development is the latest chapter in the long-standing cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan. This is not the first time, India has refused to travel to Pakistan. Earlier, India was supposed to go to Pakistan last year for the Asia Cup 2023, but that didn’t happen. Instead, India’s matches were moved to Sri Lanka.
The two nations have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13, with all their recent encounters taking place in multi-team tournaments.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is likely to intervene and mediate between the two boards. The ICC will be keen to avoid a scenario where one of the sport’s biggest rivalries is missing from a major tournament.
Both the BCCI and PCB will need to find a diplomatic solution to this impasse, as the future of the sport in the region hangs in the balance.
Cricket fans around the world will be hoping that the two boards can put aside their differences and ensure that the Champions Trophy 2025 and the World Cup 2026 feature the participation of both India and Pakistan.
