NEW DELHI: A fresh controversy has erupted ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with claims that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to include the name of the host country ‘Pakistan’ on the jerseys of Team India.
The tournament is scheduled to be held in Pakistan and Dubai under a hybrid model.
India had earlier refused to travel to Pakistan, which resulted in a hybrid arrangement, where Pakistan is the official host, while India’s matches are shifted to Dubai.
This latest stand by the BCCI has drawn sharp criticism from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has accused India of politicising the game.
A PCB official told Indian media, “BCCI is bringing politics into cricket. “First, they refused to travel to Pakistan. Now, they don’t want the host country’s name on their jerseys. This goes against ICC regulations and the spirit of the game.”
Furthermore, the BCCI reportedly refused to send captain Rohit Sharma to Pakistan for the captains’ meeting and opening ceremony, further escalating the tension.
Cricket fans and analysts have expressed their disappointment over the issue, saying it detracts from the fundamental purpose of the game. The PCB has urged the ICC to enforce tournament protocols and warned that such actions could set a dangerous precedent for future events.
Meanwhile, the ICC has unveiled the official logo of the 2025 Champions Trophy.
