The next India vs Pakistan match has been scheduled. According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this match will be played on March 1, 2025, in Lahore as part of the ICC Champions Trophy schedule. However, BCCI’s permission is still pending.
The PCB has announced the date and venue for the next India-Pakistan match, but there is a hurdle: BCCI has not yet agreed to this plan.
As per a report by PTI, PCB plans to have the match between India and Pakistan on March 1, 2025, in Lahore. They have recently submitted the schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025 to the ICC. According to a senior ICC board member, BCCI has not yet agreed to this proposed schedule.
The Champions Trophy 2025 is planned to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, with March 10 set as the reserve day. It is understood that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was in Barbados for the T20 World Cup Final, submitted this 15-match schedule to the ICC. For security reasons, all of India’s games are to be played in Lahore.
A board member told PTI:
“PCB has submitted the draft schedule for the 15-match ICC Champions Trophy. Seven matches will be held in Lahore, three in Karachi, and five in Rawalpindi. The opening match will be in Karachi, while the semi-finals will be held in Karachi and Rawalpindi. The final will be in Lahore. All of India’s matches (including the semi-final, if India qualifies) will be in Lahore.”
India is placed in Group A of this tournament, alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. Group B includes Australia, South Africa, England, and Afghanistan. Recently, ICC’s Head of Events, Chris Tetley, met Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad. Before this, ICC’s security team had reviewed the venues and preparations.
Previously, Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup 2023 using a hybrid model. India played all its matches in Sri Lanka as the Indian government did not permit the team to travel to Pakistan. Regarding this issue, a source said:
“Apart from BCCI, all the other boards participating in the ICC Champions Trophy have assured full support. However, BCCI will update ICC after consulting with its government.”
Regarding the ICC, it cannot force any board to go against their government’s decisions. It will be interesting to see BCCI’s stance on this matter. The Indian government’s position has been clear: they are generally not in favor of sending the Indian cricket team to Pakistan.
