India and Pakistan will face each other in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as the BCCI has once again opted not to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan, citing ongoing political tensions. Bilateral cricketing ties between the two countries have been suspended since 2012, with the Indian government’s directive to the BCCI preventing any matches on Pakistani soil. Consequently, encounters between India and Pakistan are restricted to international events sanctioned by the ICC or ACC, excluding any direct bilateral series. This decision underscores the broader geopolitical context that influences cricketing relations between the neighboring nations, where cricket, often a unifying force among fans, remains entangled in diplomatic complexities. As a result, fans eagerly anticipate these high-stakes ICC tournaments as rare opportunities to witness one of cricket’s most storied rivalries, albeit without the usual spectacle of matches held in Pakistan.
ICC’s annual meet to decide the fate of Champions Trophy 2025 amid India-Pakistan dispute
Currently, there is a contentious discussion surrounding whether the Indian cricket team will participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 hosted in Pakistan. Reports indicate that the BCCI is hesitant to commit to sending the team due to pending government clearance. This issue is set to be a focal point at the ICC’s annual conference in Colombo, where discussions may include the possibility of relocating the tournament to another country, albeit with increased financial implications.
Last year, the Asia Cup employed a hybrid model, splitting matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. However, the PCB has expressed a preference to exclusively host all Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan this time around. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is currently in Colombo, aiming to persuade BCCI Secretary Jay Shah to support India’s participation, despite acknowledging that the ultimate decision lies with the Indian government rather than the BCCI.
PCB to discuss T20I series with BCCI during ICC meet in Sri Lanka
According to Cricket Pakistan, senior PCB officials, before leaving for Sri Lanka, have reportedly admitted that they will invite India for a T20I series at a neutral venue next year. It is also being suggested that the PCB chief discuss this proposal with the BCCI secretary during the ICC meeting, suggesting that matches could be scheduled during the free window for both teams after the Champions Trophy 2025.
Naqvi’s agenda includes meetings with officials from various cricket boards to discuss logistics and security for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Apart from India, no other nation has expressed reluctance about participating, bolstering PCB’s optimism for full team attendance.
Furthermore, PCB has acquired land adjacent to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for a five-star hotel project. Ongoing talks with hotel chains include a proposal for PCB to independently manage construction. This initiative aims to centralize accommodations, eliminate long commutes, and minimize security disruptions during matches, with completion anticipated within a couple of years.
