The Indian cricket team will have host nation Pakistan’s imprint on their Champions Trophy jerseys, said Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia on Wednesday, January 22. Saikia quashed the rumours that the BCCI wanted ‘Pakistan’ to be removed from the Champions Trophy 2025 logo on their jersey.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Saikia clarified that the Indian team and the cricket board will adhere to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) directive during the tournament. Pakistan has the hosting rights for the tournament and will have their name beneath the Champions Trophy 2025 logo. Pakistan, however, will not play all of their matches at home. Pakistan will have travel to Dubai to play at least one of their matches. They will take on India at the Dubai International Stadium on February 23.
“We will follow whatever the ICC guidelines are,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said on Wednesday.
Ending the controversy surrounding Pakistan’s name, Saikia said that the BCCI will follow the ICC guidelines.
“We will follow the ICC directive,” Saikia said.
The BCCI secretary’s latest remarks dismiss the rumours that India had filed an objection to the official logo since the team will not be travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Pakistan is the designated host of the Champions Trophy, while India will be playing their group-stage matches in Dubai.
According to the rules, India would violate the ICC’s official dress code if they refuse to wear the official logo with host Pakistan’s name on their jersey. Even if the tournament is hosted overseas, it is usual for participating teams to have the host nation’s name on their jerseys. For example, even though the 2021 T20 World Cup was held in the UAE, Pakistan’s shirt carried India’s name.
The Champions Trophy starts on February 19 with hosts Pakistan taking on New Zealand on February 19. India will play three group stage matches in Dubai — against Bangladesh (Feb 20), Pakistan (Feb 23), and New Zealand (March 2).
If India qualify for the semi-final and the final, two additional matches will be played in the Dubai Stadium, including the final of the tournament.
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