The Pakistani government has proposed inviting an alternative cricket team to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy if India refuses to participate, according to sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
This suggestion emerged following India’s recent announcement to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it would not send its team to Pakistan for the tournament, citing government restrictions.
In response, the federal government contacted PCB, advising them to prepare contingency plans and seek an official explanation from the ICC on India’s refusal.
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The PCB is expected to formally inquire why the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is unwilling to participate, and it has been encouraged to explore options with other cricket boards.
As per ICC regulations, if a top-eight team declines to participate, the ninth-ranked team is eligible for an invitation. Currently, Sri Lanka holds the ninth spot in the ICC ODI rankings, making it a potential replacement should India confirm its absence.
However, this decision isn’t straightforward, given India’s significant financial contribution to global cricket revenues. The Pakistani government further instructed the PCB to reach out to other boards and begin preparations to host either Sri Lanka or another team.Â
