The upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy throws a curveball as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expresses reservations about travelling to Pakistan for the tournament. According to reports, the BCCI will officially request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to hold the event in either Sri Lanka or Dubai.
BCCI Seeks Alternate Venue for Champions Trophy
Citing security concerns, the BCCI is hesitant to send the Indian team to Pakistan. Rajeev Shukla, the BCCI Vice-President, stated in May 2024 that the Indian government’s approval is mandatory for tours to Pakistan. “We will go according to the decision of the Indian government,” Shukla remarked.
This development comes despite Pakistan being scheduled to host the eight-team tournament across three venues – Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore – from February 19 to March 9, 2025. The provisional schedule even features a highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan on March 1st in Lahore.
History of Political Tensions Affecting Cricket Tours
This potential shift wouldn’t be the first instance of political tensions impacting cricket tours between India and Pakistan. A bilateral series held in India between December 2012 and January 2013 marked the last time both teams played a full series on each other’s soil. Since then, their cricketing encounters have been limited to ICC events and the Asia Cup.
The Asia Cup 2023 offers a recent example. The tournament followed a “hybrid model” due to similar concerns, with all of India’s matches played in Sri Lanka.
What’s Next for the Champions Trophy?
The ICC now faces a crucial decision. Will they oblige to the BCCI’s request and relocate the tournament? If the Champions Trophy does move to Sri Lanka or the UAE, it would mark the second major ICC event in two years to be shifted from Pakistan due to India’s security concerns.
While Pakistan are the defending champions of the Champions Trophy, having won the 2017 edition, uncertainty clouds the upcoming edition. Cricket fans around the world will be keenly following how this situation unfolds and where the prestigious tournament will eventually be staged.
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![Ashwin takes revenge on Glenn Phillips with an unplayable carrom ball after getting hit for two sixes [WATCH]](https://i1.wp.com/cricxtasy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/niwas2.png?w=380&resize=380,220&ssl=1 "Ashwin takes revenge on Glenn Phillips with an unplayable carrom ball after getting hit for two sixes [WATCH]")
