The Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, preferring to request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to hold its matches in Sri Lanka or Dubai, according to a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source. The ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place from February to March 2025 in Pakistan. India has not played in Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008 due to strained diplomatic relations. The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan occurred in India from December 2012 to January 2013. Since then, their encounters have been limited to ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup.
The uncertainty surrounding India’s participation in the Champions Trophy stems from the ongoing tense relationship between the two countries. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had suggested that India play all its matches in one city, specifically Lahore. However, the BCCI is not inclined towards sending the team to Pakistan. A BCCI source informed that India will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 and will propose to the ICC that their matches be held in Dubai or Sri Lanka instead.
In May, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla stated that the Indian team would only be sent to Pakistan for the tournament if permitted by the central government. He emphasized that the BCCI would adhere to the Government of India’s decision regarding participation in the Champions Trophy. Shukla explained, “In the case of the Champions Trophy, we will do whatever the Government of India will tell 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.”
A similar situation occurred during the previous year’s Asia Cup, which was also scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan. The PCB had to adopt a hybrid model for the tournament, with all of India’s matches, including those against Pakistan, being played in Sri Lanka. The final, which India won, was held in Colombo. Although Pakistan had suggested a hybrid approach for their participation in the ODI World Cup in India the previous year, it was not seriously considered.
Pakistan, the defending champions of the Champions Trophy last held in 2017, are set to host the upcoming tournament. However, the geopolitical tensions and security concerns continue to impact the scheduling and location of matches involving the Indian cricket team.
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