The International Cricket Council (ICC) has categorically denied reports suggesting that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to exclude the host nation, Pakistan, from Team India’s jersey for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The global governing body emphasized that all teams participating in ICC tournaments are required to display the official logo, which includes the host country's name, on their jerseys.
“These claims are baseless,” an ICC source clarified. “It is the responsibility of every team to feature the tournament logo on their kits. Any team failing to comply with this rule will face strict action.”
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also rejected these allegations, confirming that no official statements were made to Indian media regarding such a matter.
PCB sources labeled the claims as unfounded and reiterated their adherence to ICC regulations.
The controversy emerges against the backdrop of strained relations between the PCB and BCCI, with cricket often caught in the crossfire of political tensions.
India’s refusal to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 prompted the ICC to adopt a hybrid model, allowing India to play its matches in Dubai.
Despite this compromise, reports from Indian media alleging that the BCCI intended to omit Pakistan’s name from the jerseys intensified the controversy.
The ICC’s clarification aims to quell these rumors, asserting the importance of maintaining uniformity and upholding tournament branding standards.
Traditionally, ICC tournaments require all participating teams to include the host nation's name on their kits, even when matches are held in alternative venues. This practice highlights the event’s branding and the host nation’s significance.
The ICC’s firm stance on compliance underscores its commitment to fairness and consistency across all participating nations. As the Champions Trophy approaches, the organization’s clarification seeks to refocus attention on the sport itself, rather than the controversies surrounding it.