India Won’t Travel to Pakistan for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The Indian cricket team has decided not to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to ongoing tensions between the two countries. Instead, India has requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to hold its matches in Sri Lanka or Dubai.
Background
The ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place from February to March 2025 in Pakistan. India has not played any cricket tournaments in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup due to strained relations. The last bilateral series between the two nations was held in India from December 2012 to January 2013.
Current Situation
Uncertainty has surrounded India’s participation in the upcoming event. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had proposed that India play all its matches in one city, with Lahore being the suggested location. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not interested in traveling to Pakistan.
A BCCI source stated, “India will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. We will tell ICC to hold its matches in Dubai or Sri Lanka.”
Government’s Role
BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla mentioned in May that the Indian team would only be sent to Pakistan if the central government permits it. He said, “In the case of the Champions Trophy, we will do whatever the Government of India tells us to do. We send our team only when the Government of India permits us. So we will go according to the decision of the Indian government.”
Previous Instances
A similar situation occurred during last year’s Asia Cup, which was scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan. The PCB had to adopt a hybrid strategy, hosting all of India’s matches in Sri Lanka. The tournament final, which India won, took place in Colombo.
Pakistan are the defending champions of the Champions Trophy, last held in 2017.
