(AFP Photo)
The Indian Cricket team is unlikely to participate in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy scheduled in Pakistan. Consequently, there is speculation that the tournament might relocate to Dubai or Sri Lanka, according to a report from ANI. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) intends to request the ICC to consider shifting the venue.
The ICC event, featuring eight teams, is set to be held from February 19 to March 9 next year. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already outlined its plans, designating Lahore for seven matches, Rawalpindi for five, and Karachi for three. Notably, the marquee clash between India and Pakistan is slated for March 1 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium as per PCB’s proposal.
Since 2008, India has refrained from traveling to Pakistan, and bilateral encounters between the two sides have been rare over the past 16 years, with the last series occurring in 2012–13. Last year, when Pakistan was due to host the Asia Cup, tensions led to the relocation of the tournament to Sri Lanka, where India also participated, culminating in the final.
However, despite India skipping the Pakistan leg, Pakistan did visit India for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, competing in various cities including Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.
Ultimately, any decision regarding India’s participation in Pakistan will hinge on directives from the Indian government.
“While the details of the tournament have not yet been discussed, it is highly unlikely that the Indian team will travel to Pakistan. Ultimately, the decision rests with the Indian government. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) plans to raise this issue at the upcoming ICC meeting in Sri Lanka this month,” a source was quoted as saying.
“The government’s decision on this matter will be final, as we have not yet confirmed it internally. Since this is an ICC event, we do not have the authority to make any unilateral decisions. However, more details may emerge during the next ICC meeting,” he added.
Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed its plans for the Champions Trophy 2025, allocating seven matches to Lahore, five to Rawalpindi, and three to Karachi. Highlighting the schedule is the eagerly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan scheduled for March 1 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
In the previous ICC Champions Trophy held in 2017, Pakistan, led by Sarfaraz Ahmed, clinched a remarkable victory over India, captained by Virat Kohli, with a commanding 180-run margin in the final held in England.
