India’s reported refusal to print ‘Pakistan’ on jerseys for the ICC Champions Trophy has reignited political tensions in cricket.
January 21, 2025: A new controversy has erupted ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, set to take place in Pakistan and Dubai, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly objected to having ‘Pakistan’—the host nation—printed on Team India’s jerseys. While India will play their tournament matches in Dubai due to security concerns, Pakistan remains the official host.
The disagreement stems from a hybrid hosting model, previously accepted by both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), which allowed India to avoid traveling to Pakistan. However, the refusal to include the host nation’s name on the jerseys has added fuel to an already contentious situation.
Also Read: Rishabh Pant Named As Lucknow Super Giants’ Captain For IPL 2025
PCB Accuses BCCI of Politicizing Cricket
A PCB official, speaking anonymously to news agency IANS, criticised the BCCI for allegedly mixing politics with cricket. “The BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is not good for the game. They refused to travel to Pakistan, won’t send their captain for the opening ceremony, and now this refusal to print Pakistan’s name on their jerseys. We believe the ICC will intervene and ensure fairness,” the official remarked.
'BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is not at all good for the game. They refused to travel Pakistan. They don't want to send their captain for the opening ceremony, now there are reports that they don't want host nation (Pakistan) name printed on their jersey. We… pic.twitter.com/Z9FrF9FKit
— IANS (@ians_india) January 20, 2025
Adding to the tension, the BCCI has also reportedly declined to send Indian skipper Rohit Sharma to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy captains’ meet and curtain-raiser ceremony.
Background and Broader Implications
Despite persistent pressure from the PCB, the BCCI has remained firm on its decision to not send the Indian team to Pakistan, citing security concerns. This has forced Pakistan to accommodate India’s terms, with games moved to Dubai under the hybrid hosting agreement. However, this compromise has implications for future ICC events, with Pakistan likely to adopt a similar stance for tournaments hosted by India.
As the Champions Trophy draws closer, the ongoing disagreements between the two cricketing boards continue to make headlines, threatening to overshadow the tournament itself.