Reports suggest that the possibility of Team India traveling to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy has been ruled out. The BCCI has informed the PCB that security concerns are preventing their participation in Pakistan. As an alternative, the Indian cricket board has proposed that all their matches be played in Dubai.
“This has been our stance, and there is no reason to change that,” shared a source with Indian Expresswith direct knowledge of the matter.
“We have written to them and asked them to shift our games to Dubai.”
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The 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, will feature the world’s top eight teams competing across three venues in Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.
However, the BCCI’s decision to refrain from traveling to Pakistan was reportedly made “in consultation with the government,” underscoring India’s ongoing concerns over security in the country.
This mirrors the approach India took last year during the Asia Cup, when matches were relocated to Sri Lanka despite Pakistan being the original host. This development dampens the optimism that had grown following recent diplomatic engagements between the two nations.
Last month, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Islamabad.
This high-level meeting marked the first of its kind since 2015, sparking speculation about a potential thaw in bilateral relations, including in the realm of cricket.
Following the talks, there was renewed hope within sporting circles that the Champions Trophy could see an unprecedented visit from India. Sources suggest that PCB Chairman Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, who also holds the position of Pakistan’s Interior Minister, played a key role in discussions about India’s participation.
In an effort to accommodate India, the PCB reportedly offered the option for the Indian team to return home after each match, highlighting Pakistan’s willingness and determination to make this historic visit possible.
Despite these efforts, the BCCI appears to have remained firm in its position, leaving the PCB in a difficult situation. While Pakistan had recently hosted successful series with teams like England and Bangladesh, its efforts to secure India’s participation were thwarted by ongoing security concerns.
Last tour in 2008
Since 2019, Pakistan has hosted numerous international teams, but India’s last tour to Pakistan was for the 2008 Asia Cup. On the other hand, Pakistan last visited India for a bilateral series during the 2012/13 season, playing three ODIs and three T20Is.
More recently, in 2023, a team led by Babar Azam traveled to India to participate in the ODI World Cup.
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