BCCI’s Refusal to Print Host Pakistan’s Name on Jerseys Sparks Controversy

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly decided against printing the name of the host nation, Pakistan, on Team India’s jerseys for the Champions Trophy 2025, according to Indian media.

Although India will play its matches in Dubai, Pakistan remains the official host of the tournament. This decision follows India’s earlier refusal to send its team to Pakistan, resulting in a hybrid model for the event’s hosting.

A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official, speaking on condition of anonymity, accused the BCCI of mixing politics with cricket.

“BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is not at all good for the game. They refused to travel to Pakistan,” the official said in a statement to the Indian news channel.

The PCB official further criticized India’s decision to skip the opening ceremony in Pakistan and raised concerns over the refusal to include the host nation’s name on jerseys. “They don’t want to send their captain [to Pakistan] for the opening ceremony, now there are reports that they don’t want the host nation’s [Pakistan] name printed on their jersey. We believe that the world governing body [ICC] will not let this happen and support Pakistan,” the official remarked.

The controversy has fueled debates over the role of politics in sports, with many awaiting the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) stance on the matter.