India’s refusal to not travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025 has erupted a big debate and former PCB Chairman Najam Sethi has complained that India has backed out of cricketing events held in Pakistan in the past as well. The issue is not just about BCCI now but it all boils down to India-Pakistan relations and how the government perceives it.
Najam Sethi On India’s Stance To Not Travel To Pakistan
In an interview with Samaa TV, Najam Sethi laid out in detail about the ongoing debate on Champions Trophy.
“In 2014 when I signed a contract with BCCI that a full series will be conducted in 2015, India backed out at the last moment stating that Indian government did not allow to play against Pakistan.”
According to Najam everyone wants the matches to happen ,“All the people want the series to happen in both India and Pakistan”
Cricket Gets Trapped In Politics
Najam Sethi blamed the Indian government for not allowing India to travel in Pakistan. He further went on to state that this debate should not be between BCCI, PCB or ICC it is something that both Indian and Pakistan government should sit and discuss.
“It is not BCCI’s issue, It is the issue of Indian government” said Najam
According to Najam other countries have also had security issues in the past but Pakistan resolved it and for India now it is no more a security issue but has become solely political.
“India does not have security issue, they’ve political issue”
Pakistan seems keen to restore relations but there is not response from India.
No India-Pakistan Match Means Loss In ICC Revenues
“There will be substantial loss to ICC revenues if India vs Pakistan matches are not conducted, India has the largest chunk of ICC revenues”
“There will 30% drop in revenues of ICC, if India vs Pakistan matches don’t happen”
When asked about ICC’s credibility, Najam clearly stated “ICC is very weak all revenues come from BCCI and indian broadcasters. Most of the revenue generated comes from Indian market”
Will Pakistan Accept Hybrid Model?
India-Pakistan matches are very crucial for ICC as they generate the highest revenues but as reports have earlier suggested Pakistan is not willing to go for a hybrid model and wants India to play in Pakistan. Matches between India and Pakistan habitually attract record-breaking audiences and an absence can severely disrupt the financial dynamics of global cricket. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, 173 million users watched the live telecast while 225 million were digital viewers.
The ongoing controversy between the PCB and BCCI has cast uncertainty over the future of the Champions Trophy. Pakistan has already committed nearly 17 billion rupees to upgrade stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi in anticipation of hosting the tournament next year.
