India has withdrawn from visiting Pakistan to play in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, after which reports emerged that put the UAE as the probable host for India’s matches. The BCCI has reportedly communicated with the ICC that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan owing to security reasons after a recommendation from the Indian government.
This has thrown a question mark on the original format announced for the tournament to be held entirely in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. With India opting out of Pakistan, the ICC and PCB will now need to weigh different options forward. It could be a hybrid model where India plays at a neutral venue, and the rest of the tournament continues in Pakistan.
The Emirates has emerged as the front-runner to host India’s games as it is close to Pakistan and already boasts good infrastructural facilities for international cricket. Sri Lanka is also apparently on the list as an alternate venue. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had earlier dismissed the hybrid model but sources say contingency plans were prepared months back if such a scenario became a possibility.
The BCCI has decided on this, and the letter was sent to the ICC earlier this week; however, it is not sure if this letter was written. The ICC is likely to discuss this issue with PCB in the days ahead. Naqvi has once again stated that PCB would not be allowed to have a hybrid model; Naqvi said that Pakistan had been leaving no stone unturned in keeping international teams in the last few years, including last year’s World Cup.
Pakistan is reportedly considering withdrawing from next year’s 2025 Champions Trophy if it is staged in the hybrid model and India decides not to send its team there. The PCB is also contemplating heavy actions, including legal moves against India and boycotting matches with India in future tournaments.
India hasn’t toured Pakistan since 2008, and politically, the two teams mostly contest each other in the ICC events or third venues. Thus, the schedule and ticketing details for the Champions Trophy, which were scheduled to be announced next week in Lahore, likely will be delayed.
