The International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) for a written explanation regarding its refusal to participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
According to media reports, following government instructions, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has emailed the ICC asking for a written clarification. The PCB inquired why the Indian team is refusing to come to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy, as it had previously verbally stated its position.
In response, the ICC has now asked the Indian board to provide a written explanation. This will allow Pakistan to request solid evidence for the reasons behind the refusal.
According to the rules, the Indian board must provide valid reasons for not traveling to Pakistan. The ICC will review these reasons and make a final decision regarding India’s participation.
If the reasons for not traveling are deemed invalid, India will be asked to send its team, and if they refuse, a ninth team could be included in the Champions Trophy.
The absence of the Indian team would cause the ICC a loss of $500 million, with significant losses expected from broadcasting rights, advertising, and sponsorships.
On the other hand, sources indicate that the absence of India from matches against Pakistan would result in an estimated loss of $100 million for the Indian Cricket Board.
Meanwhile, the Indian board and government have shown continued defiance through their media, refusing to send the team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. They have also offered to host the event themselves under a hybrid model.
Reports suggest that the BCCI’s response to the ICC will include a dossier mentioning terrorist activities in Pakistan as one of the reasons for their refusal.
