A Pakistani journalist raised the issue of India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy during a press briefing at the US Department of State on November 14. The journalist sought the perspective of Vedant Patel, the department's Principal Deputy Spokesperson, referring to the Champions Trophy as the "second-largest cricket event after the World Cup."

The interaction began with the journalist stating, “There's a big cricket event in Pakistan.” Patel, caught off-guard, responded humorously, “Cricket? Oh, I didn’t have that on my bingo card. Go ahead.”

The journalist elaborated on India’s decision, noting that the Indian government cited political tensions and security concerns as reasons for not sending its cricket team to Pakistan. The journalist further asked if mixing politics with sports was appropriate and sought Patel's opinion on the matter.

Patel clarified that the US does not involve itself in matters concerning India and Pakistan’s bilateral relations. He remarked, “As it relates to relations between India and Pakistan, that’s for them to address, whether through sports or other matters. I’ll leave it to them to speak about their bilateral relationship. It's not something for us to get involved in, but sports is undoubtedly a powerful and unifying force.”

Patel also highlighted the role of sports diplomacy in fostering connections among people. He emphasized the importance of leveraging sports as a tool to build human and people-to-people ties, which is a priority for the administration. Patel credited current Under Secretary for Public Affairs, Lee Satterfield, and former Under Secretary, Liz Allen, for championing sports diplomacy as a means of uniting people across borders.

“You’ve seen this department really prioritize the role of sports diplomacy in connecting people. Sports connect so many people, and it’s a great way to build human-to-human and people-to-people ties, something this administration has strongly emphasized,” Patel added.

Background of the Issue

The Indian government recently confirmed that its cricket team would not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, citing security concerns. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) communicated this stance to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). Instead, the BCCI proposed that India’s matches be held in Dubai under a hybrid model, a suggestion that the PCB has resisted.

The PCB, along with former Pakistani cricketers and media outlets, expressed frustration over India's refusal, calling for an explanation from the ICC. The global cricketing body is currently exploring options to resolve the impasse and ensure the smooth conduct of the eight-nation tournament.

The Champions Trophy, one of cricket’s premier events, has not been hosted by Pakistan since 1996, due to geopolitical tensions and security challenges. India last toured Pakistan for a bilateral series in 2008, but political disputes have since stalled any cricketing exchange between the two nations.

Patel’s response underscores the broader belief that while sports hold the potential to bridge divides, resolving political tensions ultimately rests in the hands of the nations involved.