The International Cricket Council (ICC) released the complete events schedule for the 2024-27 cycle on January 27. In the schedule, the cricket's governing body confirmed that the 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan. With the announcement of the schedule and the confirmation of Pakistan getting the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy, cricket fans around the world have one pertinent question in their heads: Will the Indian cricket team travel to Pakistan to play the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
First things first; the Indian cricket team last traveled to Pakistan for a bilateral series in 2006. Since then, the Indian cricket team hasn't toured Pakistan owing to the flaring political tensions between the two nations. It is also important to note that the Pakistan cricket team traveled to India for an ODI series in 2013, which was the last bilateral series between the two countries. Post 2013, India and Pakistan matches have been limited to ICC events and the Asia Cup.
Window for the Indian cricket team to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy
In a significant development, the Indian government has approved the travel of India's Davis Cup team to Pakistan, marking a huge moment as it will be the team's first visit there in over 60 years. This decision comes after the Indian Tennis Association's initial request to relocate the match to a neutral venue due to security concerns in Pakistan was rejected.
The AITA had earlier sought advice from the Sports Ministry about sending its national team to Pakistan for the upcoming World Group match. The Indian team is now slated to arrive in Islamabad on January 29, ahead of the tie set to take place on the courts of the Sports Complex on February 3-4.
This tour is noteworthy, as the last time the Indian Davis Cup team played in Pakistan was back in 1964. During that visit, the team, featuring players like Akhtar Ali, Premjit Lall, and SP Misra, secured a 4-0 win against Pakistan in Lahore.
With India's Davis Cup team receiving the green signal to travel to Pakistan, there is a window that has opened for the Indian cricket team's participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy in the neighbouring country.
It is also important to note that Pakistan cricket team traveled to India for the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup. Having said that, the Indian cricket team didn't travel to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup and played all of its matches in Sri Lanka.
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