5 instances when teams denied going to the host country for an ICC Tournament

Team India‘s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked widespread reactions across the cricketing world. While Pakistani fans express disappointment over missing out on a potential high-profile event on home soil, many Indian fans support the BCCI’s stance, citing security concerns.
Hybrid model on cards after India’s refusal
Notably, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security concerns. The ICC, in response, is now reportedly considering a hybrid model to facilitate India’s participation. Under this arrangement, India’s matches would likely be held in a neutral location, with the United Arab Emirates emerging as a potential alternative, while the remainder of the tournament would still take place in Pakistan.
Not to mention, this approach is similar to the recent 2023 Asia Cup, where India’s matches were hosted outside Pakistan due to similar concerns. A final decision from the ICC is awaited as it navigates the complexities of hosting a multi-nation event amidst diplomatic and security challenges.
However, this isn’t the first instance of a team declining to visit a host nation for an ICC tournament. Here’s a look at other notable moments when teams opted out of traveling to host countries for major ICC events.
Instances when teams opted out of traveling to a host country for an ICC tournament
1996 Cricket World Cup – Australia and West Indies boycott matches in Sri Lanka
During the 1996 Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, both Australia and the West Indies refused to play their scheduled matches in Sri Lanka due to security concerns. At the time, Sri Lanka was experiencing civil unrest, and the two teams were apprehensive about the safety of their players. Despite reassurances from the ICC and the Sri Lankan government, Australia and the West Indies forfeited their matches, giving Sri Lanka automatic victories. Ultimately, Sri Lanka went on to win the tournament, their first-ever World Cup victory.
2003 Cricket World Cup – England and New Zealand forfeit matches in Zimbabwe and Kenya
The 2003 Cricket World Cup, hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, saw England and New Zealand decline to play in Zimbabwe and Kenya, respectively. England withdrew from its scheduled match in Zimbabwe due to concerns over political tensions and human rights issues in the country, while New Zealand refused to travel to Kenya, citing security threats. Both teams forfeited their points for the matches, impacting their overall standings in the tournament.
1982 Women’s World Cup – West Indies opted to skip New Zealand
In 1981, New Zealand invited the South African rugby team, sparking international protests due to apartheid in South Africa. In response, the West Indies decided not to travel to New Zealand for the 1982 Women’s Cricket World Cup. This left the tournament organizers to field an International XI team, comprised of cricketers from various other participating nations, to fill the gap left by the West Indies’ absence.
2009 T20 World Cup – Zimbabwe’s voluntary withdrawal from playing in England
Zimbabwe Cricket voluntarily withdrew from the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup in England, as they were informed that the British government might deny visas to their players. Zimbabwe then Cricket’s chairman, Peter Chingoka, stated, “We don’t want to be gatecrashers; we will attend only those weddings to which we are invited.” With Zimbabwe’s exit, an additional spot opened up in the qualifiers, which allowed a third Associate team, Scotland, to join Ireland and the Netherlands in the main tournament.
2025 ICC Champions Trophy – India’s refusal to tour Pakistan
Recently, India have conveyed to the ICC that they would not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, again citing security concerns. As of now, the ICC is considering a hybrid model, allowing India’s matches to be held in a neutral location, likely the UAE. The ICC’s final decision on the matter is pending, but this instance underlines the ongoing security and diplomatic challenges facing international cricket.