ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held in Pakistan, it is being questioned whether India’s cricket team will participate, especially given the strained political relations between India and Pakistan. PCB has said that they will consider other options if BCCI officially refuses to send a team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy.
The PCB source mentioned that they are prepared to host a bilateral series with India at a neutral venue if India agrees to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy next year. However, there seems to be a contradiction between the statements of Rohit Sharma and BCCI sources. This indicates that while the players might be willing to play cricket without any hindrance, the political leadership in India might be reluctant to engage in such sporting exchanges with Pakistan.
Pakistan is gearing up to host its first international cricket event since the 1996 World Cup. However, if India declines to send its team to Pakistan, it won’t be easy for PCB. Discussions about a hybrid model for the ICC Champions Trophy, which could involve relocating matches between India and Pakistan to neutral venues like Abu Dhabi and the UAE, are also underway.
Reports from April 23rd suggested that Team India may not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy next year. There might be a possibility of relocating the venue or using a hybrid model. The sources also indicated that bilateral series with neighboring countries might not be on the cards shortly.
The last bilateral limited-overs series between India and Pakistan was played in 2012-13, where Pakistan toured India. Last year, India refused to send its team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, prompting the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to organize a hybrid model, with India’s matches held in Sri Lanka.
