Champions Trophy

India made history in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, marking their third title in the prestigious tournament. Their six-match unbeaten streak cemented their status as the world’s number-one ODI team. However, this victory has come after much controversy, particularly regarding India's refusal to travel to Pakistan and the broader implications of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) increasing influence over the International Cricket Council (ICC). India’s decision to play all their matches in Dubai, rather than touring Pakistan, was officially justified on security grounds. Yet, few are fooled by this rationale. It was a political decision, dictated by the Modi government’s stance towards Pakistan, in keeping with the growing trend of India using its economic and political leverage to dictate the terms of international cricket. The refusal to play in Pakistan deprived the host nation of the opportunity to stage the tournament’s final, an outcome that was both unfortunate and unfair.

Criticism has been mounting over how the BCCI wields disproportionate influence over the ICC, often securing arrangements that favour India. In this case, India’s stay at a single venue in Dubai provided them with an unfair advantage over teams like Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa, all of whom had to navigate the logistical challenges of travelling between Pakistan and the UAE. This isn’t an isolated instance; India has been accused of benefiting from pre-arranged scheduling during the T20 World Cup 2024 as well. Hardik Pandya, one of India’s star all-rounders, distanced himself from the decision, stating that it was beyond his control. This only reaffirms that it was the BCCI -- and by extension, the Modi government -- that orchestrated India’s avoidance of Pakistan. If the BCCI had its way, Pakistan wouldn’t have been allowed to host the Champions Trophy at all. The fact that the hybrid model was only agreed upon to accommodate India’s demands highlights the extent of the BCCI’s dominance in global cricket affairs. This was further exemplified when Pakistani officials were conspicuously absent from the Champions Trophy presentation ceremony, despite being the host nation.

Yet, while India’s off-field manoeuvres were successful, they were not entirely victorious in controlling the narrative. The international cricketing fraternity did take note of Pakistan’s seamless hosting of the tournament, with players and journalists from all participating nations praising the hospitality and enthusiasm of Pakistani crowds. For Pakistan, there were two disappointments: the early exit of the national team from the tournament and the fact that the final was not held on home soil. However, the successful execution of the event, despite India’s refusal to participate in Pakistan, has been a testament to the country’s ability to host top-tier international cricket. The Champions Trophy 2025 may have ended with India lifting the trophy, but the tournament also exposed the growing concerns over the BCCI’s unchecked power. Cricket should be about fair competition, not political manoeuvring. The ICC must reassess its priorities and ensure that the sport’s integrity is not compromised by the interests of one powerful board. Meanwhile, maybe the Pakistan cricket think tank needs to figure out how to get our team to actually win matches.