‘Ban Pakistan if you dare’: India’s refusal fuels champions trophy chaos, ICC reminded of 1996 WC

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faces a tough situation after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the ICC that India will not travel to Pakistan for next year’s Champions Trophy. With preparations already underway, including extensive stadium renovations, PCB officials now expect the tournament may adopt a hybrid model, similar to the recent Asia Cup. This model would split matches between Pakistan and a neutral venue.

Reactions in Pakistan have been strong. Former cricketer Basit Ali suggested India should lose two points if the tournament proceeds in a hybrid format, citing a similar scenario during the 1996 World Cup, where Sri Lanka received points when Australia and the West Indies refused to play in Sri Lanka. Ali highlighted that ICC consistently places India and Pakistan in the same pool due to commercial interests. “If India refuses to play in Pakistan, give Pakistan two points,” he remarked on his YouTube channel.

This isn’t the first time BCCI’s travel stance has influenced major tournaments. Last year, India’s refusal to play in Pakistan forced the Asia Cup to adopt a hybrid model, with most matches moved to Sri Lanka. India last played in Pakistan during the 2008 Asia Cup, while Pakistan toured India for the 2012-13 bilateral series and the 2016 T20 World Cup.

Ali urged PCB to stand firm, proposing Pakistan host all their Champions Trophy matches domestically. He also challenged the ICC’s authority, asserting they lack the courage to ban Pakistan if it declines to participate. “Pakistan should refuse to play if the Champions Trophy moves out of the country. Let the ICC try banning Pakistan if they dare—no one would sleep easy,” Ali emphasized.

This ongoing dispute underscores the challenges facing Pakistan-India cricket relations, often disrupted by political tensions. With both boards holding firm positions, the Champions Trophy’s venue remains uncertain, raising questions over ICC’s ability to mediate such conflicts.