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Pakistan’s hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 hangs in the balance due to India’s reluctance to travel there. If India maintains its stance against visiting Pakistan, the tournament could be relocated entirely outside Pakistan.
Despite other teams agreeing to participate, the BCCI insists on government clearance for player safety. The Indian government has emphasized the need for Pakistan to address cross-border terrorism before cricketing relations can resume.
Pakistan’s hosting rights for the Champions Trophy 2025 at risk.
According to a report by Dainik Bhaskar, the ICC is considering relocating the entire Champions Trophy 2025 from Pakistan if India is unable to obtain necessary travel permissions. The report suggests that Dubai or Sri Lanka are potential alternative host locations for the tournament.
Sources within Sri Lanka Cricket have also indicated that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 may be moved out of Pakistan if India declines to participate. It is understood that the Pakistan Cricket Board had already submitted a preliminary schedule for the tournament to the ICC.
Additionally, the reports highlight that Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board are supporting the BCCI’s stance on not traveling to Pakistan. These boards are expected to back the BCCI during discussions in the ICC executive committee meeting.
As per the draft schedule, the tournament is scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 5, 2025. The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan match is slated for March 1 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Strained relations persist between India and Pakistan.
Since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, India and Pakistan have maintained strained political relations, resulting in minimal bilateral cricketing engagements. The last bilateral series occurred in 2013 when Pakistan visited India for three T20Is and three ODIs, with Pakistan winning the ODI series 2-1 and the T20I series ending in a 1-1 draw.
Despite the lack of bilateral series, both teams have frequently met in Asia Cups and ICC tournaments. Pakistan recently competed in India during the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they did not advance to the semi-finals. They also participated in the T20 World Cup 2016 held in India.
Looking ahead, India is set to co-host the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 with Sri Lanka, marking the next major ICC tournament to be held in India.
After an eight-year hiatus, the ICC has decided to revive the Champions Trophy, which will feature eight teams divided into two groups.
