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BCCI announces boycott of bilateral cricket with Pakistan after IIOJK attack

Both teams have not played a bilateral series since Pakistan’s tour to India for a limited-overs series in 2012.

Web Desk

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24 Apr 2025

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the boycott of playing bilateral cricket with Pakistan after the Indian government severed diplomatic ties. The Indian cricket board also vowed to follow its government’s orders.

Vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Rajeev Shukla stated that to comply with the government’s stance, India will not play any bilateral cricket match with Pakistan due to the attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)’s Pahalgam.

Notably, both teams have not played a bilateral series since Pakistan’s tour to India for a limited-overs series in 2012. Meanwhile, India toured Pakistan in 2008.

India's repeated refusal to travel to Pakistan compelled Pakistan to arrange a neutral venue for their matches in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Read: Journalist who supported BCCI’s decision against touring Pakistan enjoys his stay in Lahore

In a recent statement, VP Shukla vowed to stand with the “victims” of the incident and follow the instructions of their government, stating, “We condemn it [Pahalgam attack], we’d not play with Pakistan in bilateral series.”

However, he cleared the board was obedient to ICC , saying, “[...] When it comes to ICC event we play due to ICC engagement."

Similarly, the secretary of the ICC also expressed his condolences over the attack, stating that the violence pushed the cricket community into “deep shock and anguish, and we stand hand in hand at this time of tragedy.”

Read: “Karma is real:” Pakistani fans mock BCCI over floodlight failure during Ind vs Eng 2nd ODI in Cuttack

India on Wednesday announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan following a deadly attack in IIOJK that claimed the lives of at least 26 tourists.

Addressing a press conference, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the decision would remain in effect until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”