The ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to take place in Pakistan next year, has reached a point where the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is said to have declined to send their team to Pakistan for the event. Pakistan had planned to host the Indian team only in Lahore, aiming to address security concerns and gain approval from the BCCI for the tournament. However, it appears that the BCCI has suggested a mix of locations, including Dubai and Sri Lanka, for their matches, indicating a different approach.
Even though there hasn’t been a formal talk about the BCCI’s suggestion, the PCB might have to accept the demands from the Indian board. However, if they insist on holding all the matches in Pakistan, the Indian team could choose to leave the tournament due to worries about safety, since it’s very unlikely they’ll get permission from the government.
If the Indian team leaves the Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka will take their place, because they came in 9th during the 2023 ODI World Cup rankings.
Last year, Pakistan was supposed to host the Asia Cup in 2023, but the Indian government didn’t allow their team to go there. So, the Indian team’s games were moved to Sri Lanka.
The Indian cricket team hasn’t played in Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008. They only play against each other in big tournaments like those organized by the ICC or ACC.
In their most recent encounter during the T20 World Cup 2024 in the previous month, India beat Pakistan by six runs during the group stage and then went on to win their second championship.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will mark the first significant international cricket competition that Pakistan will host on its own. Earlier, Pakistan had shared hosting duties for the 1996 Cricket World Cup with India and Sri Lanka, and also for the Reliance Cup with India in 1987.
