India’s pettiness over ICC Champions Trophy jersey sparks fresh controversy

WEB DESK: A new controversy has erupted ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, set to be hosted in Pakistan and Dubai due to India’s pettiness.

India has reportedly objected to having the host nation’s name, “Pakistan,” printed on Team India’s jerseys.

While Pakistan is the official host, India insisted on playing its matches in Dubai, citing security concerns. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) had already accepted a hybrid model to accommodate India, but the BCCI’s objection to Pakistan’s name on the jerseys has reignited tensions.

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A PCB official accused 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.

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.