After the Indian cricket team refused to go to Pakistan, now Nitin Menon, the only Indian member of the ICC's elite panel of umpires, has also refused to go to Pakistan for this multi-nation tournament. Now Menon will not go to Pakistan to umpire in the 2025 Champions Trophy starting on February 19.

Apart from Menon, match referee and former Indian fast bowler Javagal Srinath will also be absent from the tournament. According to the Times of India report, Nitin cited "personal reasons" for not attending, while Srinath sought leave permission from the International Cricket Council (ICC), citing his extensive travel in the last four months.

A source close to the development was quoted by the Times of India as saying, "Menon has refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy citing 'personal reasons'. Obviously, he cannot officiate in India's matches in Dubai as the tournament rules have a provision for neutral umpires. Hence, he is missing out on the Champions Trophy."

Apart from Menon, Srinath is currently in Nagpur and preparing for his duties related to the first ODI between India and England on Thursday. "Yes, I had asked for leave as I had to be away from home for a long time in the months of November, December and January," Srinath told the newspaper.

All the three officials from the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees - David Boon, Ranjan Madugalle and Andrew Pycroft - are part of the refereeing team for the Champions Trophy. Srinath has emerged as the only Indian representative in the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, similar to Nitin's position among umpires.