MUMBAI: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla has reacted to reports of Pakistan boycotting the 2026 T20 World Cup that India will host if they refuse to travel to the neighboring country for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Speaking at the Uttar Pradesh Premier League players’ auction, Shukla claimed that the BCCI was waiting for their government’s approval to travel to Pakistan.
He also added that Pakistan can say whatever it wants about its participation in the T20 World Cup 2026, which India will co-host with Sri Lanka.
“Pakistan can talk all they want about coming to India during the 2026 World Cup, but we are only waiting for the Indian government’s approval [to participate in the Champions Trophy],” Shukla said.
On the other hand, another senior BCCI official admitted that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will react if India does not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
“Of course we expect retaliation. They will threaten to boycott the Asia Cup if we don’t go to Pakistan. But PCB should understand that it is not in BCCI’s hands. Sending a team to a foreign country requires permission from the Indian government. So far we have had dialogues regarding the Champions Trophy. But we have not had any positive results,” said a senior BCCI official.
The PCB stands firm on its stand to host all Champions Trophy 2025 matches in the country despite rumors of a neutral venue or Plan B. It has been announced that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan and play their matches at a neutral venue. .
Three venues – Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore – will host eight-match matches and as per the PCB’s proposed ICC plan, all India’s matches will be held in Lahore.
Apart from India, all the eight teams that will be participating in the Champions Trophy have played in Pakistan before and the PCB believes that India has no good reason not to come here.
The proposed dates for the Champions Trophy are from February 19 to March 9.
The event will mark the return of the ICC Champions Trophy after an eight-year hiatus, last won in 2017 when Pakistan defeated India in the final.
