Team India Could Travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025, BCCI Outlines Key Condition
In December 2012-January 2013, India and Pakistan played their final bilateral cricket series. Since then, they have only met at ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup. The Vice-President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rajeev Shukla. Stated that India will only send its team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy next year if the Indian government grants permission.
The ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February to March 2025. Recent media reports suggest that India may not travel to Pakistan for the tournament. The tense relationship between the two nations due to terrorism has prevented any cricket tournaments from being held in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.
Speaking to ANI, Shukla said, “We will do whatever the Government of India tells us to do in the case of the Champion Trophy. We only send our team when the Indian government gives us permission. Therefore, we will follow the decision of the Indian government.”
During the Asia Cup held last year, Pakistan was forced to use a hybrid strategy. All of India’s matches, including those against Pakistan, were played in Sri Lanka. The tournament final took place in Colombo, which India won. Although Pakistan had hinted at the possibility of using a hybrid approach to participate in the ODI World Cup in India the previous year, it was never given any thought. Pakistan ultimately played all of its games in India at five different locations before being eliminated in the group rounds.
Team India Could Travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025, BCCI Outlines Key Condition
Pakistan is the defending champion of the Champions Trophy, which was last held in 2017. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has designated Lahore as the only location for India matches for the Champions Trophy. That Pakistan has been awarded for next year, as reported by ESPNcricinfo earlier in May. PCB has locked three locations, Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, to host the two-week Champions Trophy. India’s draft schedule calls for them to play all of their games in Lahore, including the final.
According to reports, the idea of putting India in a single place was suggested to avoid logistical and security issues associated with their travel. Furthermore, it provides Indian fans with a relatively easier option to visit as Lahore is near the Wagah border crossing between the two countries.
The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, previously mentioned that the board had submitted a draft schedule of the tournament. Likely to be held in mid-February next year, to the ICC. Discussions involving the eight participating members will take place. With the main point of contention being whether the Indian team will travel to Pakistan or not.