BCCI has confirmed that Team India will not be traveling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. Citing security concerns, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has communicated its decision to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), expressing its preference to play all its matches in Dubai, as reported by Indian Express.
Team India refuses to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025
“This has been our stance and there is no reason to change that. We have written to them and asked them to shift our games to Dubai,” a source privy to the development told Indian Express.
The top eight cricket teams in the world are set to clash in the upcoming ICC 50-over tournament. As per the proposed schedule, Champions Trophy 2025 will be hosted across three cities in Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.
However, India's participation in this tournament remains uncertain. Sources suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) continues to maintain its stance on not touring Pakistan, even after consulting with the Indian government. This stance echoes their decision from last year's Asia Cup, where they successfully negotiated to shift their matches to Sri Lanka, despite facing pressure from the host nation, Pakistan.
However, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that PCB hasn't received anything in written from BCCI yet.
Ever since the ICC granted the hosting right of Champions Trophy 2025 to Pakistan, the shadow of doubt over India's participation hasn't settled. Given the strained diplomatic relations between the two nations, there are concerns about India's willingness to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
According to the proposed schedule by Cricket Pakistan, the host nation, Pakistan, has been placed in Group A alongside India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. Group B consists of England, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan. The Champions Trophy 2025 is tentatively scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 9, with a reserve day on March 10.
Reports also suggest that Dubai is emerging as the frontrunner to host India's matches in the 2025 Champions Trophy. The city has a proven track record of successfully hosting high-profile cricket events and is also home to the ICC headquarters.
As of now, the BCCI has not made any official statement regarding India's participation in the Champions Trophy, which will be the first edition since 2017.
Champions Trophy 2025's schedule to be announced on November 11
The official schedule for the event is expected to be released by November 11. This development comes after the 2023 Asia Cup, which was held in a hybrid format due to India's refusal to tour Pakistan. The Indian team played their matches in Sri Lanka under the leadership of Rohit Sharma.
Here's how the Champions Trophy 2025's proposed schedule looks like:
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| February 19 | New Zealand vs Pakistan | Karachi |
| February 20 | Bangladesh vs India | Lahore |
| February 21 | Afghanistan vs South Africa | Karachi |
| February 22 | Australia vs England | Lahore |
| February 23 | New Zealand vs India | Lahore |
| February 24 | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Rawalpindi |
| February 25 | Afghanistan vs England | Lahore |
| February 26 | Australia vs South Africa | Rawalpindi |
| February 27 | Bangladesh vs New Zealand | Lahore |
| February 28 | Afghanistan vs Australia | Rawalpindi |
| March 1 | Pakistan vs India | Lahore |
| March 2 | South Africa vs England | Rawalpindi |
| March 5 | Semi-final: TBC vs TBC | Karachi |
| March 6 | Semi-final: TBC vs TBC | Rawalpindi |
| March 9 | Final: TBC vs TBC | Lahore |
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