Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has criticized BCCI Secretary Jay Shah for reportedly declining to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Ali accused Shah of using his influence to sway other cricket boards to align with his preferences.
Despite security concerns, Pakistan retains the hosting rights for the 2025 Champions Trophy and has begun preparations, including stadium renovations. However, India’s participation remains uncertain. Recent reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate India’s matches to a neutral venue, given the expected denial of approval from the Indian government for travel to Pakistan.
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In a YouTube video, Ali expressed frustration with the BCCI’s stance and Shah’s influence, claiming that “5-6 cricket boards blindly follow his directives.” He suggested that Shah’s significant financial investments in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have led to boards aligning with his decisions due to the financial benefits their players receive.
The ICC recently approved the budget for the 2025 Champions Trophy at its annual meeting in Colombo. Pakistan, represented by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, received an allocation of Rs 12.80 billion for renovations of venues in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. Despite this, there are reports that India’s matches might be played at a neutral venue rather than in Pakistan.
