New Delhi: The ongoing tussle between India and Pakistan over the scheduling of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has snowballed into a full-blown crisis. India’s tough stance on participation in the tournament has put the
International Cricket Council (ICC) in a catch-22 situation.
On one hand, BCCI has written an email to the World Cricket governing body and communicated that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan on any condition, on the other, PCB have written to ICC and sought an explanation from the Indian Cricket Board for not visiting the country.
The situation seems to hit an impasse and as of now Team India’s visit to Pakistan doesn’t look like happening. If India continue to stand on their stance of not travelling to Pakistan, it will not be the first team to decline to visit a country for a global event due to travelling fears.
Australia, West Indies in Sri Lanka – 1996 World Cup
Set to host, four group-stage games, against Australia, the West Indies, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, at the 1996 World Cup, Sri Lanka were rocked by the Central Bank bombing in Colombo that killed 91 and injured 1,400. The horrific blast happened on January 31, fourteen days before the start of the World Cup.
Fearing the worst, Australia and the West Indies declined to tour and demanded full points from the games. But the then Sri Lankan Cricket president Ana Punchihewa refused to accept the suggestion and forced ICC chair Clyde Walcott to seek a truce by offering shared points. But Punchihewa declined the offer and the matter was put to vote.
Walcott’s suggestion of sharing the points won, but Punchihewa demanded re-polling. Fortune favoured Sri Lanka, as the demand of two points won and Sri Lanka were assured of four points due to forfeiture of Australia and West Indies. The Islanders eventually won the World Cup.
England in Zimbabwe – 2003 World Cup
England, in a somewhat similar scenario, declined to visit Harare in the 2003 ODI World Cup citing security concerns. The refusal came less than a month after the arrest of Job Sikhala, an opposition MP during a time of political unrest in the country. It was a straightforward decision this time around as Zimbabwe were awarded full points.
The two-point boost proved pivotal for the African nation, which finished with 14 points and qualified for the Super Sixes as the third team of Group A. Meanwhile, England were knocked out after finishing fourth with 12 points.
New Zealand in Kenya – 2003 World Cup
During the same edition, New Zealand forfeited their match against Kenya at Nairobi a week after England’s pullout in Zimbabwe. The Kiwis conceded the match citing security concerns after their delegation received information about active terrorist organisations in Nairobi capable of launching a terrorist attack. NZC pulled out after finding out that organisations were “looking to target Western interests in Nairobi”.
ICC Champions Trophy: India will not be the first team to decline to visit a country for a global event due to travelling fears if they continue to stand on their stance of not travelling to Pakistan. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
