New Delhi: The Indian team is unlikely to visit to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The BCCI is likely to request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to host their matches in Sri Lanka or Dubai instead. The championship is scheduled to be held in Pakistan between February and March 2025.
Since 2008 Asia Cup, India has been avoiding to play cricket in Pakistan due to the political tension between the two countries. The arch rivals had taken part in a bilateral series in India between December 2012 and January 2013. Since then, they had faced each other only in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup.
According to news reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had proposed that India play all its matches in Lahore. In May, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla had stated that the Indian team would visit Pakistan only if the Central government allowed it.
Reacting to the development, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah told ANI that it was not only India’s responsibility to ensure that the situation gets conducive for hosting such bilateral events, but the onus was also on Pakistan to establish better relationship between the two countries. “The kind of attacks that are happening should not happen, the kind of atmosphere that is there should not be there. Pakistan will also have to play its role so that relations between the two countries improve,” he added.
A similar situation had occurred regarding the hosting of last year’s Asia Cup. PCB was compelled to adopt a hybrid strategy while hosting the last Asia Cup. All India’s matches including those against Pakistan were held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Champion’s trophy last played in 2017
In 2017, Pakistan had won the ICC Champions Trophy, when the tourney was last held. India and Sri Lanka were declared joint winners after the Match Day and the Reserve Day were washed out due to rain. India beat England in 2013 to win the trophy for the second time.