Champions Trophy Showdown: India and Pakistan Clash in ICC Boardroom

The BCCI and PCB are set for a potential clash at the ICC meetings in Colombo from July 19-22 over India’s participation in the Champions Trophy scheduled for February next year. With India likely to cite government clearance issues for not touring Pakistan, tensions could rise during the discussions.

Sources indicate that BCCI secretary Jay Shah will attend the meetings, which conclude with the Annual General Meeting on July 22. While the AGM’s agenda doesn’t specifically mention this issue, it is expected to be addressed under ‘any other business,’ with Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi representing Pakistan.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled from February 19 to March 9, with India supposed to play all their group matches in Lahore: February 20 against Bangladesh, February 23 against New Zealand, and March 1 against Pakistan. The semifinals are set for Karachi on March 5 and Rawalpindi on March 6, with the final in Lahore on March 9.

If India refuses to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, the ICC might consider a hybrid model, allowing India to play their matches in the UAE or Sri Lanka. However, the PCB is expected to strongly oppose such a move.

In addition to the ICC meetings, Jay Shah may also attend the India vs Pakistan Women’s Asia Cup match in Dambulla on Friday.

T20I Captaincy: Decision Pending Between Hardik and Suryakumar

Meanwhile, the suspense over India’s next T20I captain—whether it will be Hardik Pandya or Suryakumar Yadav—continues. The Indian team selection, now expected on Thursday, remains unresolved.

In an online meeting on Tuesday, new head coach Gautam Gambhir and the selectors discussed various aspects of Indian cricket, including the potential of giving Suryakumar, the world’s second-ranked T20 batsman, the regular T20 captaincy due to Hardik’s injury concerns. No final decision has been reached yet.