There are concerns about whether India will agree to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan have led to a halt in cricket matches between the two countries since 2013. If the news is accurate, the BCCI might not receive permission from the Indian government to send a team to Pakistan for the tournament. However, recent events, such as Pakistan’s participation in the 2023 fifty-over World Cup in India, have led to talks about a potential resumption of cricket ties.
According to the initial plans for the Champions Trophy, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will be the venue for all of India’s games, including the match against Pakistan.
There are also rumors that the BCCI is considering a mixed model like the one used for the Asia Cup last year, where India’s games were played in Sri Lanka.
During the current discussion, former captain Younis Khan has asked for India to visit Pakistan, as it is the “last thing” for star player Virat Kohli’s career.
“Virat Kohli should come to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. We also want this. He should come and play in Pakistan. I believe the only thing missing in Virat’s career is to tour Pakistan and play,” Younis Khan told News24.
India’s last bilateral series away from home against Pakistan took place in 2006, which was two years prior to Virat Kohli’s first international appearance.
Although the 35-year-old Kohli participated in a series against Pakistan during their visit to India for a limited-overs tournament in December 2012, he has not yet played a Test match against Pakistan.
A recent report states that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to persuade the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to send their team to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
A PCB insider mentioned that while the budget for the Champions Trophy was greenlit during the recent ICC meetings in Colombo, the schedule and format of the event were not discussed at all.
“The PCB has completed its duties as the host for the Champions Trophy. It has sent the proposed schedule and format for the event, along with the budget,” said a source within the PCB.
“It’s now the ICC’s responsibility to decide how quickly they will share, review, and confirm the schedule for the Champions Trophy. The PCB has proposed that all of India’s matches, including a semifinal (if India makes it) and the final, be held in Lahore,” he added.
