Wed. Jul 30th, 2025

Possible Reasons Behind Pakistan’s Exclusion from ICC Tournament

Cricket fans around the globe have been looking forward to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as we believed we were on the cusp of its return after an eight-year absence. The tournament is scheduled for February 2025, and it was an historic moment for Pakistan: the country was to host its first major ICC tournament since 1996. Although, there was momentum moving through the cricketing world, with everyone holding the uncertainty of the future we now find ourselves in. And with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) under fire, it has been reported that Pakistan may not even be in the tournament.

So why might this be? Let’s take a look at what might have led to Pakistan’s potential exclusion from the ICC tournament.

1. India's Reluctance to Travel to Pakistan

The current crisis stands out as one of the main triggers being India’s non-participation in Pakistan. Citing security reasons, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) formally informed Pakistan’s Cricket Board that it would not send its team across the border. With India being a substantial stakeholder in world cricket and a high-profile team with television viewers and sponsors, this has naturally disrupted the entire ecosystem of the ICC Champions Trophy.

India’s position on no engagement in Pakistan has already disrupted previous tournaments, including the Asia Cup 2023, which went ahead in the hybrid format. We’re witnessing a case of déjà vu.

KEY POINT: India’s decision to not tour Pakistan is one of the core reasons for the current disruption.

2. Pakistan’s Stiff Resistance to Hybrid Model

Following India’s position, the ICC had put forth a hybrid model for Champions Trophy 2025, in which India’s matches, and in particular its important matches, semi-final and final etc, would be played at a neutral venue (i.e. UAE or Sri Lanka). However, PCB rejected the hybrid model, putting forward, all matches must be played in Pakistan.

Upon PCB’s continuance to not accept the hybrid model during the ICC meeting in Dubai, PCB were adamant and did not accept the hybrid model. The ICC meeting was abrupt without resolution.

IMPORTANT: PCB refusal to accept the hybrid model thwarted important negotiations.

3. Geopolitical Tensions and Diplomatic Strains

It is hard not to factor in the geopolitics of international cricket in South Asia. The bilateral tensions of India and Pakistan often permeate onto the cricket field. Problems with visas, travel permissions or security guarantees are often coloured by geo-political factors, making even bilateral and multilateral tournaments hard to arrange.

While cricket is supposed to integrate and unite societies, it has become politically hostile, thus becoming extremely politically sensitive. India’s ultimate decision on the issue, while presented on security considerations, also takes into account pluralistic diplomatic considerations.

HIGHLIGHT: Cricket will remain as collateral from the larger political billiards of India and Pakistan.

4. Financial Ramifications and Commercial Interests

The ICC Champions Trophy makes a significant amount of money and India makes money from broadcast revenue, sponsorship, and global viewership. If a tournament occurs without India, it could be financially nonviable, as broadcasters and sponsors will withdraw from a tournament absent India, especially if there are ‘showcase’ matches.

Stand-alone, Pakistan is not prepared to budge as the host country, so the ICC is now faced with either persuading Pakistan to accept a hybrid model, or relocating the whole tournament elsewhere e.g. South Africa, UAE – both of which are being looked at as back-up venues.

NOTE: India’s economic impact in cricket is a major factor that is driving the decisions of the ICC.

5. ICC’s Dilemma and Possible Relocation of Tournament

The ICC is now caught in a mess both diplomatically and logistically. As a report in Cricbuzz reported, the ICC prefers to go with the regular timing, but is willing to shift if necessary. If Pakistan continues with the obstinance about hybrid, this entire tournament could get shifted altogether to a neutral venue, basically outside of Pakistan at all.

That decision would be a major embarrassment for the PCB and could call into doubt its future viability as a host nation of global cricket tournaments.

SCENARIO: If Pakistan doesn’t agree to the compromise, it may lose its hosting rights altogether.

6. Impact of Previous Incidents and Global Perception

Although Pakistan has changed its information and security, the outside world remains dubious over the safety of foreign teams. A terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009 will always hang over Pakistan’s reputation despite having a couple of decent years hosting a few successful series.

Certain boards are still gun-shy, and India’s rejection of a tour to Pakistan will only reinforce those boards to remain cautious. This creates an image of Pakistan as an unreliable venue leading to a mixed narrative for the ICC, making it easier to plan other venues in place of Pakistan.

JUST REMEMBER, Perception is often more important than reality in international diplomacy and sporting matters.

7. Bilateral Relations and Cricketing Diplomacy

Another important aspect is having no bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan for over a decade. Only at ICC tournaments or in multi-nation tournaments, India and Pak are playing cricket together. Each occurred over the past year. Each match is played in a high voltage environment.

Without bilateral ties, even neutral venues are becoming more of a reality and questioning Pakistan as a planned host to meet ICC related requirements is getting much harder to justify.

HERE’S THE KEY POINT ON PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION: No bilateral ties = no trust in logistics = increased tension in running a multilateral event.

What Lies Ahead?

Currently, the ICC is hard at work trying to figure out a way to get around the stalemate. A new meeting is expected soon but there is no certainty that Pakistan will agree any desk is correct on it. If the deadlock continues, then whether or not Pakistan is banned from being a host venue for the Champions Trophy 2025 is unlikely.

Whether Pakistan is banned in its participants is also to be seen, but for now, it is to get a venue.

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale for Global Cricket

The excitement involving the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is a clear indication of how politics, perception and power can get in the way of cricket even if Pakistan has a reasonable expectation to host. With security, diplomacy and financial considerations intertwining, Pakistan may not ever get the chance.

If a compromise is not found, Pakistan stands to lose not only an incredibly exciting opportunity to demonstrate it can be a top global cricket venue but its credibility when participating in future bidding opportunities as well.

FINAL THOUGHT: Cricket demands diplomacy, not deadlock. The game must win. Not egos.