With just few months to the start of Champions Trophy 2025 which is slated to be hosted by Pakistan, the uncertainty over the marquee tournament still lingers. However, recent reports suggest that Team India might not participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. The BCCI is reportedly pushing for a hybrid model, similar to the Asia Cup last year, to accommodate India's concerns regarding security. They have informed the ICC that Team India won't be going to Pakistan citing Indian Government's advice.
ICC will be of no use...: Rashid Latif on Champions Trophy 2025
Meanwhile, former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has responded to this development, stating that if India decides not to participate, Pakistan might reciprocate by boycotting the tournament as well.
“ICC exists only because there is Pakistan and India. If the government of Pakistan also says like India that we won’t play, then the ICC will be of no use as no one will watch the match,” Latif told Geo News.
“We can say that India does not want to play bilateral matches, but you can’t deny the ICC events as you already have signed it. India has to make solid ground. If India doesn’t come this time, Pakistan will take a big step by not participating in the tournament,” he added.
"If it is a bilateral series or Asia Cup, then the teams are asked, whether India wants to play or not. This is an ICC event. The cycle has been signed from 2024-2031. All the broadcasters and sponsors have signed about the teams that will participate in the Champions Trophy or the World Cup," the former Pakistan cricketer further stated.
According to reports,BCCI has officially informed the ICC about Indian government's stance and has also requested for playing their matches in Dubai. However, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi hasn't confirmed any official written communication from either the BCCI or the ICC regarding India's potential non-participation in the Champions Trophy 2025.
Last year's Asia Cup was originally scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan but was eventually held in a hybrid format with India's matches taking place in Sri Lanka.
ICC cancels November 11 event of Champions Trophy 2025
The upcoming Champions Trophy is set to be a major cricketing event featuring the top eight teams. As per the proposed schedule, it is tentatively slated to be held from February 19 to March 9 in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.
It has also been learnt that ICC has canceled a crucial event related to the 2025 Champions Trophy due to ongoing scheduling issues, particularly concerning the hosting of India's matches. The event, which was scheduled to take place in Lahore on Monday, November 11, would have marked the 100-day countdown to the tournament.
The ICC had made significant preparations for the event, but scheduling complications have forced the cancellation. Some speculate that the increasing air pollution in Lahore could be cited as a convenient reason for the decision. An official hinted at this possibility. Given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding India's participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy, a hybrid model appears to be the most viable solution. As reported earlier, the ICC has allocated a budget to accommodate the possibility of hosting some matches outside Pakistan, likely in the UAE.
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