India has officially informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that it will not be sending its team to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to take place in February. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has requested that India's matches be moved to Dubai due to ongoing concerns related to the situation in Pakistan.
The BCCI has reaffirmed its long-standing position on this matter, expressing a clear preference for India’s matches to be held outside Pakistan. This decision comes ahead of an official ICC delegation visit to Lahore, which will take place from November 10 to 12, 2024, to assess tournament preparations. The ICC is expected to announce further details about the schedule and the event during this visit
The Champions Trophy, one of cricket’s premier 50-over tournaments, is set to feature the world's top eight teams, with matches initially planned to be held in several cities across Pakistan, including Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. However, despite discussions about a potential "hybrid model" to accommodate India’s preference for neutral venues, the PCB has made it clear that it will not accept this arrangement
In the proposed groupings, India will be placed in Group A along with Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Group B will consist of England, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan. The tournament is set to run from February 19 to March 9, 2025, with Lahore hosting seven matches, including the final, and Karachi and Rawalpindi set to host the opening match and two semi-finals, respectively
India's participation in the tournament will ultimately depend on approval from the Indian government regarding travel to Pakistan. This remains a key issue, as the BCCI's decision on where to play the tournament is influenced by broader geopolitical considerations.