(AP Photo)
Following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024, attention has swiftly turned to the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, slated to take place in Pakistan in February-March next year. However, challenges have emerged even before the tournament’s kickoff, primarily revolving around India’s participation in Pakistan. There is a growing likelihood that India may opt out of traveling to Pakistan, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to propose a hybrid model to the ICC, akin to the arrangement seen during the Asia Cup last year.
Under this proposed model, all matches involving India would be relocated outside of Pakistan. This approach mirrors the strategy adopted during the Asia Cup 2023, where Sri Lanka hosted India’s matches along with the tournament’s final.
India could be replaced by Sri Lanka
The next move by the International Cricket Council (ICC) remains uncertain following reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has firmly opposed the idea of hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in a hybrid model, potentially leading to India withdrawing from the tournament.
There is significant speculation that the Indian government may withhold permission for their team to travel to Pakistan for the prestigious event. Should India indeed abstain, it could result in the tournament proceeding without them. In such a scenario, Sri Lanka would step in to fill India’s place in the eight-team competition.
Sri Lanka had initially missed out on qualifying for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to their lower rankings at the qualification cutoff date. According to tournament rules, the top seven teams along with host Pakistan are guaranteed spots in the Champions Trophy. At the cutoff, Sri Lanka ranked just below Bangladesh, narrowly missing qualification. However, should India withdraw and the ICC reject the hybrid model proposal, Sri Lanka would seize a significant opportunity to qualify for the marquee event.
No ICC event has been held in Pakistan for 28 years.
Since jointly hosting the 1996 ODI World Cup with India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan has not been chosen to host any major ICC events. They did, however, host the 2008 Asia Cup and the 2023 Asia Cup, the latter being conducted in a hybrid format. In 2017, Pakistan achieved victory over India in the last Champions Trophy prior to the current period.
Conversely, India has not traveled to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, due to ongoing political tensions that have greatly restricted bilateral cricketing engagements between the two nations. The aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks significantly strained relations, leading to a sharp decline in cricket matches between them. The last bilateral series occurred in 2013, with Pakistan visiting India for a T20I and ODI series. Since then, encounters have been limited to Asia Cups and ICC tournaments.
