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Is there a possibility of India visiting Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy?
Recent reports indicate that the BCCI is unlikely to agree to India playing matches in Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Instead, they are planning to request the ICC to relocate these matches to either Dubai or Sri Lanka due to concerns over government clearance for the team to travel across the border.
The Champions Trophy is making a comeback after an eight-year hiatus, with Pakistan being the reigning champions since their victory over India in 2017. Scheduled for February and March next year, the competition’s location remains a topic of discussion.
Bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan have been suspended for several years due to strained relations, with India last touring Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2008. Their encounters are limited to global or continental tournaments, with their most recent clash occurring at the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York, where India emerged victorious.
As questions swirl around India’s potential involvement, an old video featuring legendary Indian bowler Harbhajan Singh has resurfaced on social media.
In the video, Harbhajan passionately argues on a TV show that the safety of Indian players should be the top priority. He emphasizes that if the players do not feel secure in Pakistan, then it’s out of the question for them to participate in matches there.
“Agar humare players wahan par jaake safe nahi hain toh nahi bhejenge. Aap na khelo humare saath. Aapko khelna hai toh khelo warna mut khelo. Indian cricket can survive without Pakistan and If you guys can survive without Indian cricket then do it. (If our players cannot feel safe in Pakistan then they won’t travel to the country. If you don’t want to play against India, then don’t. Indian cricket can survive without Pakistan and if you guys can do it then go ahead),” the former India offspinner said on SportsTak.
According to the draft schedule, India and Pakistan are said to be grouped together, along with Bangladesh and New Zealand. All of India’s matches are slated to take place in Lahore.
