NEW DELHI: The Indian cricket team is unlikely to participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed reluctance to grant permission, media reports revealed on Thursday.
According to Indian media sources, the BCCI has suggested Sri Lanka and Dubai as alternative venues for India’s matches in the tournament, which is scheduled from February to March 2025.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had proposed Lahore as the venue for all of India’s matches, but the BCCI remains hesitant about allowing the team to travel to Pakistan.
Since the Asia Cup in 2008, India has refrained from playing cricket tournaments in Pakistan due to strained bilateral relations.
It should be noted that Pakistan visited India last year to participate in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.
Recently, the PCB submitted a revised schedule of the Champions Trophy to the International Cricket Council (ICC), suggesting March 1 for the highly anticipated match between Pakistan and India in Lahore.
The revised schedule, circulated to the other seven participating countries, outlines the tournament’s timeline from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
Karachi will host the opening match, Rawalpindi will host five matches including a semifinal, and Lahore will host seven matches, including the final on March 9 with a reserve day scheduled for March 10.
Group A of the Champions Trophy will include Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Group B comprises Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan.
