Champions Trophy: Players safety our top priority, says BCCI vice-president

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, speaking to reporters in New Delhi, said players' safety is of the utmost importance, reiterating the Indian government's stance to not permit the Indian team to travel to Pakistan for next year's Champions Trophy.

In Short

• ICC Board to meet on Friday to finalise Champions Trophy schedule
• India firm on stance to send cricket team to Pakistan
• Pakistan have the hosting rights for the 50-over tournament in 2025

The vice-president of the Indian cricket board (BCCI) Rajeev Shukla said on Friday that the players' safety will be of the utmost importance, backing the government's decision to not send the senior men's team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The statement comes hours before the International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting to finalise the schedule for the 50-over tournament, tentatively scheduled to be held in February-March next year.

"Our discussions are going on. A decision will be taken after looking at the situation. Our top priority is the safety of the players. Hybrid mode is also an option; discussions are going on," Rajeev Shukla said in New Delhi.

The BCCI, in a letter to the ICC, informed the government's decision and confirmed that the Indian cricket team would not travel to Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board demanded an explanation from India and even offered to ease India's concerns over security. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, however, has stressed that Pakistan would want to host the entire tournament in their country and that they won't agree to a hybrid model, which would allow India to play their matches at a natural venue.

On Wednesday, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi reiterated the stance and said the PCB was in constant touch with the ICC. Naqvi even said that India's reluctance to visit Pakistan is unacceptable, especially after Pakistan visited India for the ODI World Cup last year.

However, concerns over Pakistan's ability to host the tournament intensified after Sri Lanka’s A team, touring Pakistan, was forced to cut short its series due to violent political protests in Islamabad earlier this week. These protests, sparked by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party, raised serious concerns about security in the country, making it clear that Pakistan’s ability to host international cricket might be at risk. The PCB was forced to postpone two 50-over matches scheduled between Sri Lanka A and Pakistan Shaheens, marking an early indication of the mounting pressure on Pakistan’s cricket administration.

The ICC Board will meet virtually on Friday to decide the fate of the Champions Trophy. India Today has learnt that a hybrid model is the most favourable outcome. Back channel talks were on to convince Pakistan to agree to the hybrid model, in which India would play their matches in the UAE.

Pakistan agreed to host last year's Asia Cup after India refused to travel across the border. Pakistan hosted only four matches while Sri Lanka, who were picked as the second venue, hosted nine matches, including the final.

India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since the 2012-13 season. India have not travelled to Pakistan for cricket series since the 2008 Asia Cup. The two teams, however, have met in ICC and Asian Cricket Council tournaments.