PCB seek compensation from Apex Cricket Council in case of India’s Champions Trophy boycott

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering seeking compensation from the Apex Cricket Council in the event of India boycotting the Champions Trophy, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan in February-March 2025. Despite the officials designating Pakistan as the tournament host, a crucial hosting agreement is yet to be finalized between the two parties.

According to a reliable source within the PCB, Chairman Zaka Ashraf and COO Salman Naseer engaged with the cricket governing body’s executive board in Ahmedabad to discuss the hosting arrangements. The PCB officials highlighted the delicate relations between the governments of India and Pakistan, expressing concerns about the possibility of India withdrawing from the tournament on security and political grounds.

“Pakistani officials discussed the probability of the Indian cricket board again refusing to send its team to Pakistan and made it clear that in any given situation the apex cricket body must avoid taking unilateral decisions on the tournament,” a report was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.

If matches are moved to another country, then the apex cricket body must compensate Pakistan: Reports

This apprehension stems from India’s recent refusal to play in Pakistan during the Asia Cup, which was partially hosted by Pakistan in August-September. In that instance, all of India’s matches were played in Sri Lanka, including the final against the host nation. The limited hosting arrangement for Pakistan in the Asia Cup was facilitated through an agreement with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), headed by the Indian Cricket Board’s secretary Jay Shah.

As the PCB awaits the crucial hosting agreement from the Apex Cricket Body, it remains vigilant about the historical tensions impacting India’s willingness to play in Pakistan. The potential compensation claim underscores the financial stakes and challenges associated with organizing major cricket tournaments in the region. The situation adds an extra layer of complexity to the already intricate dynamics between cricketing nations in the subcontinent.

“The PCB officials said many top teams had toured Pakistan in the last two years without any security concerns. They also made it clear that in case of India not send its team and its matches are moved to another country, then the apex cricket body must compensate Pakistan for this,” reports added.