Champions Trophy 2025
India won’t travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy
|| CF DESK ||
BCCI has notified the ICC that India will not be traveling to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, according to ESPNcricinfo.
BCCI conveyed that the Indian government advised against sending the team to Pakistan.
The Champions Trophy, an eight-team tournament, is set to take place at three venues in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. However, this announcement will require the ICC and PCB to consider alternative arrangements, likely through a hybrid model where teams split games between Pakistan and another venue.
Implementing a hybrid model could be challenging. Just recently, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi dismissed the idea, stating that no discussion on it had occurred.
However, various backup plans were made months in advance, with several alternative countries considered. The UAE is a likely option due to its proximity, though Sri Lanka is also a possibility.
The ICC was informed of the BCCI’s position earlier this week, although it’s unclear whether the communication was formal.
Due to ongoing political tensions, India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, although Pakistan has played multiple ICC tournaments in India, including the 2023 World Cup. The only bilateral series between the two since then was Pakistan's 2012-13 white-ball tour of India.