The United States has expressed its preference for sports diplomacy in the wake of India’s refusal to send its cricket team to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan. The statement comes amidst rising tensions between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the tournament’s location.

India’s decision to boycott the tournament in Pakistan has stalled the announcement of the official schedule. The ICC was expected to unveil the schedule on November 11th in Lahore, but the event was cancelled due to the ongoing dispute.

The tournament is currently slated for February 19 to March 9. Pakistan remains firm in its stance against adopting a hybrid model for the tournament. All of India’s matches were scheduled to be played in Lahore.

During a press briefing in Washington, Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State, responded to a question regarding India’s decision. When asked if mixing politics with sports was appropriate, Patel emphasized the importance of sports diplomacy.

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He stated that sports are a powerful unifying force and that the US prioritizes sports diplomacy as a means of connecting nations. He added that public diplomacy has always supported sports engagement.

While acknowledging the strained relationship between Pakistan and India, Patel indicated that the two nations should resolve the matter directly, stating that the US has no role to play in mediating the Pakistan-India relationship.

Separately, Patel strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, specifically mentioning the November 9 attack on the Quetta railway station. He expressed deep condolences to the victims and their families. Patel reaffirmed the US’s commitment to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, highlighting regional security as a shared concern for both nations.