From the time Pakistan was awarded hosting rights for the 2025 Champions Trophy, controversy seems to not leave Pakistan cricket.

From unprepared venues for the tournament to India’s unwillingness to travel to Pakistan, this ICC event is hardly a smooth affair.

Another Shocking Controversy in Champions Trophy 2025 has cropped up with India rejecting to display Pakistan name on the team jersey.

Champions Trophy 2025 Overview

The 2025 Champions Trophy is set to begin on February 19 and to be hosted by Pakistan.

PCB and BCCI agreed on a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy after the Indian board refused to send team India to Pakistan due to security concerns. After initial refusal, the PCB agreed on the BCCI’s hybrid model push, with Dubai being chosen as the venue for India’s matches. The semi-finals and the finals are to be also held in Dubai if India qualifies for the same.

Pakistan being the official host of the tournament, participating nations are expected to have Pakistan printed on their jersey.

BCCI refuses to print ‘Pakistan’ on India jersey for Champions Trophy 2025

Having already been under deep scrutiny due to the delay in completion of the stadium renovation, Pakistan cricket is hit by yet another shocking controversy.

News has now emerged that a disagreement has now come up regarding India’s reservation to include Pakistan, the host nation’s name on the Indian jersey.

This news has spread widespread anxiety in the Indian-obsessed section of the Pakistan media.

This stance has drawn criticism from the PCB, which accused the BCCI of politicizing the issue. The PCB expressed its displeasure and urged the ICC to intervene to resolve the matter.

India – Pakistan Cricket Relationship

After Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism and after the 26/11 Mumbai Terror attack orchestrated from Pakistan soil, cricketing ties had come to a standstill.

India only plays Pakistan in ICC tournaments, and if not in India, it plays its neighbours in neutral venues citing security concerns.

BCCI is unwilling to sport Pakistan’s name in their Jersey, sparking criticism from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which expressed its disapproval and accused the BCCI of politicizing the issue.

A frustrated PCB official speaking to the press suggested they hope for an ICC intervention and support Pakistan’s position.

PCB also expressed surprise at BCCI’s move and slammed the board for bringing politics into cricket. “BCCI is bringing politics into cricket, which is not at all good for the game. They refused to travel to Pakistan. They don’t want to send their captain (to Pakistan) for the opening ceremony, and now there are reports that they don’t want the host nation’s (Pakistan) name printed on their jersey,” he said as quoted by a media channel.

“We believe that the world governing body (ICC) will not let this happen and will support Pakistan,” he added.

BCCI Response

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has responded to the ongoing Indian jersey controversy ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

In a statement, the BCCI argued the claim, asserting that India’s matches are being held in Dubai and not in Pakistan, making Dubai a host too , thus making the host nation’s name unnecessary.

A BCCI official remarked, “This tradition is not mandatory. We are playing in Dubai, not in Pakistan, so there’s no reason to include Pakistan’s name on the jersey.”

“When the ICC Champions Trophy tour took place in India, Pakistan’s name was not displayed on the podium as it is in other host countries. This is a custom, not a requirement. The Indian team’s jersey will feature ‘ICC Champions Trophy,’ which has been the standard practice across ICC tournaments.”

BCCI reiterated that it is not obligatory to feature the name of the host nation on the team’s kit.

ICC Warns BCCI For ‘Strict Action’  

The ICC reportedly warned the BCCI of strict action if they refuse to sport Pakistan on jersey for the ICC Champions Trophy.

“It is the responsibility of every team to add the tournament logo to their jerseys. All teams are obligated to comply with this rule,” an ICC official said in a media channel.

SuperSports View

The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is undeniably intertwined with politics.

PCB officials suggesting not to bring politics into the game are expecting too much. While Pakistan has a selective memory loss, the Mumbai terror attack was the last straw that has now become the current reality in both teams’ cricket ties.

With India playing against Pakistan only in ICC events, many in India even suggest that India should not have any sporting tie-ups including ICC events.

Will Any country want to put a country name in their jersey that has been experiencing a warlike situation and facing terrorism for almost 77 years now?

India would want to stick to their stand, but being an ICC event, India may reluctantly comply and agree to have the hostname written on Jersey. This was more of a statement to be made.

Meanwhile, BCCI has reportedly stuck to its guns over not sending the Indian captain to Pakistan for pre-tournament rituals.