Team India‘s refusal to travel Pakistan for Champions Cup 2025 caused widespread reactions in the cricketing world. While Pakistani fans have expressed their disappointment at missing out on a potentially high-profile event in their home country, many Indian fans have backed the BCCI’s stance, citing security concerns.
Hybrid model on cards after India’s rejection
Note that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave official information to International Cricket Council (ICC) He said that India will not go to Pakistan for the tournament citing security problems. The ICC, in response, is now reportedly considering a hybrid model to facilitate India’s participation. Under this arrangement, India’s games will be played at a neutral venue, with the United Arab Emirates emerging as a potential alternative, while the remainder of the tournament will still be played in Pakistan.
Needless to say, this approach is similar to the 2023 Asia Cup, where India’s matches were played outside Pakistan due to similar concerns. A final decision is awaited from the ICC, which addresses the challenges of hosting a multinational event amid diplomatic and security concerns.
However, this is not the first instance of a team refusing to travel to the host nation for an ICC tournament. Here’s a look at other notable moments where teams have refused to travel to host countries for major ICC events.
Also READ: Will ICC Champions Trophy 2025 be shifted from Pakistan to South Africa?
Cases where teams refuse to travel to the host country for an ICC tournament
1996 Cricket World Cup – Australia and West Indies boycott matches in Sri Lanka
during 1996 Cricket World Cupco-hosted India, Pakistanand Sri Lankaboth of them Australia and West India they refused to hold their planned matches in Sri Lanka due to security reasons. Sri Lanka was experiencing civil unrest at the time and both teams were worried about the safety of their players. Despite reassurances from the ICC and the Sri Lankan government, Australia and the West Indies lost their matches, giving Sri Lanka an automatic win. In the end, Sri Lanka won the tournament, their first ever World Cup victory.
2003 Cricket World Cup – England and New Zealand lost matches in Zimbabwe and Kenya
It hosted the 2003 Cricket World Cup South Africa, Zimbabweand Kenyai saw England and New Zealand they refuse to play in Zimbabwe and Kenya respectively. England pulled out of a planned match in Zimbabwe due to political tensions and human rights concerns in the country, while New Zealand refused to travel to Kenya, citing security threats. Both teams lost points for the matches, affecting their overall standings in the tournament.
1982 Women’s World Cup – West Indies opted to skip New Zealand
In 1981, New Zealand invited the South African rugby team, which caused international protests due to apartheid in South Africa. In response, the West Indies decided not to travel to New Zealand for the 1982 Women’s Cricket World Cup. This left the tournament organizers fielding an International XI team made up of cricketers from various other participating nations to fill the void left by the absence of the West Indies.
2009 T20 World Cup – Zimbabwe’s voluntary withdrawal from the game in England
Zimbabwe Cricket voluntarily withdrew from the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup in England because they were informed of the British government’s refusal to issue visas to their players. Chairman of Cricket then Zimbabwe To Peter Chingokanoted, “We don’t want to be gatecrashers; we will only attend weddings to which we are invited.” With Zimbabwe’s exit, an additional place in the qualifiers opened up, allowing a third Associate team, Scotlandto join Ireland and The Netherlands in the main tournament.
2025 ICC Champions Trophy – India’s refusal to tour Pakistan
Recently, India told the BCC that they will not visit Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, again citing security concerns. The ICC is currently considering a hybrid model that would allow India’s matches to be played at a neutral venue, possibly in the UAE. The ICC’s final decision on the matter is awaited, but the incident highlights the ongoing security and diplomatic challenges facing international cricket.
