Leg and Off: Should India travel to Pakistan for 2025 Champions Trophy?
The India-Pakistan saga regarding the 2025 Champions Trophy is heading in a familiar direction, giving a sense of Deja vu from the not-so-old, Asia Cup 2023 debacle. India's late withdrawal has dented all of Pakistan's early confidence, and with ICC left helpless, the hybrid model scenario might just be embraced yet again, although there are a lot of possibilities for how this power struggle could potentially come to a close.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) need the 2025 Champions Trophy to announce that they are completely capable of hosting the big-time events. The infamous terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team did more damage then what was thought of. While Pakistan has become a regular avenue in terms of hosting, an ICC event on their soil would seal the deal, and make a huge statement.
The biggest obstacle in their way is India, who have flat out refused to cross the border to compete. With not long to go for the tournament. the pressure has intensified for the organizers to find an 'amicable' solution.
The government has the final say
There is no place for bureaucracy and politics in cricket, but the tense relations between India and Pakistan has meant that those elements have seeped in. The woes between the two neighboring nations are well-documented, but the potential solutions are not.
The government's approval is the age-old trump card that the BCCI have wielded whenever the question of travelling to Pakistan arises. The BCCI have always painted a picture that their hands are tied, but now whether they are voluntarily bound up is a whole different question.
This delicate matter un unfortunately not something two cricketing boards can sort it out in a conference call with ICC being the moderator. Since the issue clouding over is much bigger, it requires the intervention of the highest possible authorities.
Now if talks between the Pakistan government and the Indian government were to take place, where assurance can be traded off in a diplomatic fashion, then there is some hope. However, unless Pakistan put their foot down, the entire debacle seems to be heading in the hybrid model route.
Can Pakistan assure Team India's safety?
Probably the biggest factor that is giving India the upper hand in this scenario, apart from their strong grip over the cricketing circuit, is the concern regarding security. Yes, Pakistan have hosted several series without any hiccups, gone are the days visiting teams used to send a security team before touring and cancellation of matches due to such concerns.
However, one has to admit, that it is a completely different prospect when it is the Indian team. The Men in Blue touring Pakistan gives the genuine, ardent cricket fans in the nation, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch one of the most star-studded teams of this generation.
On the flip side, it also leaves some 'organizations' a chance of a lifetime too, to leave a mark. While the PCB have assured of the safety and security repeatedly, it has not even convinced the people on the other side of the border, even a little bit. As a result, the government will not be willing to leave it to chance, and prefer to stay safe than sorry.
Another angle to this particular debate is the fact that several Indian athletes have traveled to Pakistan to compete in tournaments, and have come back without a scratch. But, again, it is a completely different prospect when it is the Indian team in question. The star power, the sheer attraction, the gravity of those names make them more than just a random contingent from India.
Extending the courtesy and appreciating PCB's efforts is the least India can do
Pakistan also faced similar headaches whenever they have had to tour India in recent times. Since the Men in Green do not have the power to overrule ICC, and cannot afford to boycott the tournament (despite constant threats), they had no choice but to trust BCCI's assurance of security and selective venue allotment (both provisions which PCB have also assured when the shoe has been on the other foot), and tour India for two World Cups in recent memory.
The hybrid model looks convenient on paper, but it is far from it from a logistical point of view. Pakistan had to split the hosting of the 2023 Asia Cup with Sri Lanka, including the all-important final. The financial settlement from the campaign is arguably still under dispute. Neither PCB nor SLC were willing to bear the responsibility for the additional charges incurred due to the extra flights, reservations, and general travelling.
PCB have gone to great lengths to ensure India's convenience. They suggested scheduling India's matches in Lahore, so that the squad can return to India after the matches. However, the idea was shot down by BCCI almost immediately.
Even after such measures India are not willing to travel, the PCB will have no choice but to put their foot down and consider alternate avenues to push the BCCI into a corner, after years of being squashed under. Reportedly, PCB are considering filing an appeal with the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS). It remains to be seen whether PCB will buckle yet again, or is this something more than just an empty threat.
India are arguably abusing their monopoly power
The BCCI can afford to take such bold decisions because the ball is always in their court. With the IPL, and the growing viewership and fan following, India have never been stronger in the cricketing circuit than now. The revenue share model, the broadcast money that BCCI bring, and with now Jay Shah set to be crowned ICC president, the governing body have their claws dug across all facets.
This luxury has enabled India to carry out actions such as refusal to travel, without worrying even slightly about the consequences. India have got their way before, and have the booming confidence that history will repeat, because from their perspective, there is no other alternative.
If it was any other team refusing to travel citing any possible reason, they would have been removed from the competition, and the next ranked team would have been slotted in without batting an eyelid.
As far as the BCCI is concerned, they have played their card (which is the only one they need), and they can now watch PCB and ICC panic, the same-old bluffs before they fold and cater to India's needs.
To conclude, in an ideal world, all of the authorities should sort this matter out. Firstly, it is Pakistan's job to convince India of the security they are willing to offer to the players. Next, it is India's task to at least consider the counter proposals that are being offered, and offer genuine reasons over why it would not work out, instead of doling out the same diplomatic and bureaucratic jargon that sets cricket back, and pollutes it.
In fact, PCB chairman Najam Sethi surmised the potential solution quite well recently, when he said:
‘BCCI needs to convince the Indian government for the team to travel to Pakistan’. “We at PCB tend to go to our government and persuade them to allow us to go to India. We want to play in India. But then the government gives us this political argument that looks like it needs to be reciprocal. Otherwise, you know, we’ll be criticised roundly by our critics in Pakistan. Similarly, I think the BCCI needs to stand up and go and tell the government that ‘hey, please don’t bring politics into it. This is just a game. Allow us to go to Pakistan’,” Sethi said as quoted by the Indian Express