The ongoing friction between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reached new heights. Former cricketer Basit Ali has suggested that Pakistan respond to India’s attempts to undermine the 2025 Champions Trophy during the 2026 T20 World Cup by taking a firm stand. He proposed actions such as refusing to print India’s name on Pakistan’s jerseys or skipping captains’ meetings to send a clear message.
Basit emphasized that the PCB should register its protest through formal channels like email while avoiding public confrontations, calling silence the “best response.” He cautioned that such conflicts between the two boards could harm global cricket significantly.
The dispute stems from the BCCI’s decision to skip the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, citing security concerns, which led the ICC to adopt a hybrid model. India’s last visit to Pakistan was for the Asia Cup in 2008, while Pakistan recently toured India for the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The controversy deepened after reports suggested India was unwilling to display the host nation’s name on team jerseys. Basit argued that unless mandated by the ICC, no team should be forced to do so.
He stated that smaller teams like Nepal and Uganda have the right to decide such matters, highlighting that cricket should prioritize sportsmanship over power struggles. If the issue of jerseys is so significant, he suggested India consider boycotting matches altogether, as focusing on such trivial matters is unreasonable.
Social media has amplified the debate, with negative propaganda dominating the narrative. While some voices have called for reason and positivity, they often face backlash, particularly from Indian fans, showcasing the increasingly toxic nature of cricket-related discussions online.