According to the details, the federal government has contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board and instructed them to decide in case India does not come, keeping the ICC rules in mind.
According to media reports, the federal government directed the PCB to write a letter to the International Cricket Council to ask for concrete reasons for the Indian cricket board’s refusal to participate in the Champions Trophy.
The first edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, also known as the Mini World Cup, was held in 1998. The event features the top 8 teams in the ICC ODI rankings, who are divided into two groups. According to the ICC, if any team refuses to play a scheduled ICC event for any reason, the ICC cannot compel any country to tour the host country.
However, the law gives the International Cricket Council the power to invite the ninth-ranked team in the event of a refusal by any of the top eight teams, which by law automatically qualify for the event.
In the ICC ODI Rankings 2023, there was a Sri Lankan team at the ninth position, which means that if India refuses, Sri Lanka can be invited, but this decision will not be so easy for the ICC. The government sent a message to the board that the PCB should take the International Cricket Council officials into confidence and contact other boards and in case of India’s refusal, work should be done to invite Sri Lanka or West Indies.
Government sources made it clear to the Cricket Board that the India-Pakistan fight is not possible without Pakistan, the profit is not only because of India but because of the presence of Pakistan.
The government has advised the board that if India does not come to Pakistan, it will not play against India in any future ICC and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) event. Sources said that the federal government has proposed to the PCB. It has been given that if the Indian team is not ready to play in Pakistan, then it should be considered to invite another team.
