Champions Trophy 2025: Sporting Tensions Rise: Visa Denial for Pakistani Scrabble Players Adds to India-Pakistan Rivalry Ahead of Champions Trophy

In a recent development that underscores the impact of political tensions on sports, another backlash came to the Indian government when the Pakistan Scrabble Association (PSA) accused the Indian High Commission of delaying visa approvals, preventing Pakistani players from competing in the Asia Cup Youth Scrabble Championship and the Delhi Cup. The PSA expressed disappointment, stating that the visa denial hindered their opportunity to defend their titles.

This incident aligns with heightened tensions between the nations’ cricket boards, following India’s clear stance to avoid touring Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy due to security concerns. The International Cricket Council has since requested a response from the Pakistan Cricket Board on whether they would host the tournament through a hybrid model, allowing India to play at neutral venues. In this situation, if the PCB denies the hybrid model, it could be possible that they have to step down from the hosting duty of this high-voltage tournament.

About this politically concentrated matter, a source said,

Unless the PCB decides to pull out of hosting the Champions Trophy, the current plan is to hold India’s matches in UAE and the final in Dubai. The Indian Cricket Board has told the ICC that a Hybrid Model is acceptable to them only if the final is held in Dubai and not in Pakistan.

As cricket and now scrabble face the consequences of broader diplomatic issues, the situation highlights the complex interplay between sports and international relations in the region.