The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly requested a written yes-or-no response from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding India’s potential participation in the 2025 men’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
According to reports, the tournament schedule will be released next week, with Lahore designated to host all of India’s matches. However, the BCCI has yet to confirm whether the team will make the trip. Since 2006, no Indian cricket team has toured Pakistan, with political tensions being the primary issue.
India has often cited security concerns despite Pakistan’s assurances, though formal denials from the BCCI have been rare. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has a contingency plan in place, with part of the budget reserved for holding matches outside Pakistan if necessary.
The Asia Cup last year faced a similar situation, where after extensive negotiations, half of the matches were shifted to Sri Lanka. This time, reports suggest that Dubai is being considered as a backup venue.
Despite the uncertainty, the PCB remains optimistic.
“The Indian team should come. I don’t see them cancel or postpone coming here and we are confident we will host all the teams in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan,” said chairman Mohsin Naqvi in October.
The PCB has invested around 13 billion Pakistani rupees (₹394 crore) in renovating stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. Naqvi has also promised special arrangements for Indian fans, including a separate ticket quota and faster visa processing.
The Champions Trophy is set to begin on February 19, with Pakistan playing New Zealand in Karachi, and the final scheduled for March 9.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Stay ahead of the latest cricket industry trends by subscribing to our free cricexec “daily briefing” newsletter.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
