• Sportzyverse
• Indian Cricket Team
• 07/11/2024
• 0 Comments

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially decided that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Instead, they will request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to schedule their matches in Sri Lanka or Dubai. This decision comes amid ongoing tensions between the two nations, which have prevented India from playing cricket in Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008.

Historical Context and Bilateral Tensions

India and Pakistan have a long-standing rivalry on and off the cricket field. The last bilateral series between the two nations took place in India from December 2012 to January 2013. Since then, they have only faced each other in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup. The strained political relationship has overshadowed their cricketing engagements, with India’s participation in Pakistan-hosted events remaining uncertain.

The looming uncertainty over India’s participation in the Champions Trophy 2025 has been discussed. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had suggested that India play all its matches in one city, with Lahore being the proposed venue. However, the BCCI has declined this offer, citing security and diplomatic concerns.

A source from the BCCI confirmed to ANI, “India will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. We will tell the ICC to hold our matches in Dubai or Sri Lanka.” The BCCI’s firm stance highlights its reluctance to send the Indian team to Pakistan under the current circumstances.

Government’s Role in Decision-Making

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla emphasized that the final decision would align with the Indian government’s directives. “In the case of the Champions Trophy, we will do whatever the Government of India will tell us to do. We send our team only when the Government of India permits us. So we will go according to the decision of the Indian government,” Shukla told ANI in May.

This situation mirrors last year’s Asia Cup, initially scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan. Due to similar concerns, the PCB adopted a hybrid model, with all of India’s matches, including those against Pakistan, being held in Sri Lanka. The tournament concluded with India winning the final in Colombo.

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Pakistan, the defending champions of the Champions Trophy, last won the tournament in 2017. The upcoming 2025 edition, scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February to March, will see a significant shift if the ICC approves India’s request to play in neutral venues.