BCCI confirms to have ‘Pakistan’ printed on team kits  

DUBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday agreed to comply with all the uniform-related rules and protocol reportedly after being warned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its refusal to have ‘Pakistan’ printed on the team’s kits.

“BCCI will follow every uniform-related ICC rule during Champions Trophy,” Indian cricket board’s secretary Devajit Saikia told Indian media.

Earlier, PTV reported that the ICC took a strong stance after reports emerged that the BCCI objected to having ‘Pakistan’ printed on the Indian cricket team’s kits for the ICC Champions Trophy. 

However, the ICC reminded the BCCI that all participating teams are required to display the tournament logo, which includes the host nation’s name, on their kits.

The Indian media quoted an ICC official, saying, “It is mandatory for all teams to comply with this regulation, regardless of where the matches are held.” 

The ICC had also warned that non-compliance could lead to strict action against the Indian team. 

Moreover, the BCCI’s objection sparked criticism, with a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official accusing the Indian cricket board of politicising the game. “First, they refused to travel to Pakistan. Then, they declined to send their captain, Rohit Sharma, for the captains’ meet, and now they are objecting to the host nation’s name on their jerseys. This is politics, not cricket,” the official told IANS.

Meanwhile, the PCB denied receiving any official communication from the BCCI regarding this matter. 

As per ICC regulations, every team must include the host nation’s name on their jerseys during tournaments. With the Champions Trophy scheduled for 2025, the ICC’s firm stance serves as a reminder to uphold the spirit of the game. 

The ICC Champions Trophy, set to begin in a month, has been plagued by India’s resistance. Earlier, the BCCI’s refusal to play in Pakistan forced the PCB to concede to a hybrid model. However, the situation has created uncertainty about future cricketing ties, with PCB reportedly reconsidering its participation in ICC events hosted by India.

Despite efforts by Pakistan to ensure smooth proceedings, India’s actions continue to overshadow the spirit of the tournament.