After a long wait of 28 years, Pakistan is all set to host the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 with the event scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sent an official draft of the schedule to the International Cricket Council (ICC), which includes a crucial match between Pakistan and India on March 1 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
The draft schedule also suggests that India will play all their matches in Lahore due to security concerns. However, recent developments indicate that India’s participation in the tournament might be uncertain.
According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to push Champions Trophy for a hybrid model similar to the one used during the Asia Cup 2023, where India played their matches in Sri Lanka instead of Pakistan.
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This mindset comes as no surprise, given the tense relations between the two countries. Pakistan won the hosting rights for Asia Cup 2023, but ultimately, India refused to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns. A hybrid model was agreed upon by PCB, ACC, and BCCI, with India’s matches shifted to Sri Lanka.
The recent terrorist attack on an Indian army convoy in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua, which resulted in the deaths of five soldiers, has further fueled concerns about India’s participation in the Champions Trophy.
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The PCB has ruled out moving the tournament out of Pakistan, but it remains to be seen which board will eventually step back in their demands.
The Champions Trophy 2025 is a major event in international cricket, and fans are eagerly waiting to see if India will finally participate or opt for a hybrid model once again.
With just a few months left before the tournament begins, all eyes are on the BCCI and PCB to see how they will resolve this issue. Will India join Pakistan on the field or will they opt for an alternative solution? Only time will tell.