The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly made the decision to omit the name of the host nation, Pakistan, from the national cricket team’s jersey for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The recent decision has sparked yet another wave of controversy, intensifying the already tumultuous cricketing relationship between the two nations.
Previously, the government of India had decided against sending its cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
This refusal ultimately compelled the International Cricket Council (ICC) to adopt a hybrid model, a compromise that allows India to play its matches in Dubai.
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Traditionally, it is standard practice for teams participating in ICC events to sport the name of the host country on their jerseys as a part of the tournament branding, even when the actual matches are held in a different location.
For instance, during the T20 World Cup 2021, Pakistan’s jerseys prominently featured India’s name, despite the tournament’s rescheduling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Yet, despite this long-standing custom, the BCCI has firmly opted not to include Pakistan’s name on the Champions Trophy jersey of Team India.
This situation has reportedly left the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) feeling exasperated and seeking intervention from the ICC to help untangle this diplomatic knot.
“BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is not at all good for the game. They refused to travel to Pakistan,” a PCB official stated.
“They don’t want to send their captain [to Pakistan] for the opening ceremony, and now there are reports that they don’t want the host nation’s name printed on their jersey.
“We believe that the world governing body [ICC] will not let this happen and will support Pakistan.”
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