Pakistan’s chances of hosting the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 are now at risk. The tournament may be relocated outside of Pakistan if BCCI continues to refuse to travel to Pakistan.
No Hybrid Movel For ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Ever since the T20 World Cup 2024 came to an end, there have been talks about whether India will participate in future events if they are scheduled in Pakistan. While all teams have agreed to travel, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) still insists that they need approval from the Indian government for their players’ safety.
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At the same time, the Indian government has maintained its stance that cricketing ties can only resume if Pakistan stops cross-border terrorism.
As per Dainik Bhaskar’s report, the International Cricket Council (ICC) might relocate the entire Champions Trophy 2025 from Pakistan to Dubai or Sri Lanka if India doesn’t get approval from the Indian government.
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Per sources within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is expected to be moved from Pakistan if India declines to participate there. As per the reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had submitted a tentative schedule for the tournament to the ICC.
According to reports, Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are siding with the BCCI’s decision not to travel to Pakistan. These two boards will also support the Indian board’s stance during the ICC executive committee meeting.
According to the draft schedule, the tournament will occur from February 19 to March 5, 2025. The highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan is set for March 1 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Strained relations between India and Pakistan
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since Pakistan’s tour to India in 2013. This is due to the deteriorated cricketing relationship between the two countries following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. They have mostly crossed paths at ICC and Asia Cup competitions. Pakistan played in India for the 2016 T20 World Cup and most recently traveled there for the 2023 ODI World Cup. The T20 World Cup 2026, which India will co-host with Sri Lanka, is the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The Champions Trophy is being held after a long gap of 8 years. The tournament was earlier scrapped but the ICC decided to bring it back again. The tournament will feature 8 teams divided into two groups.
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