With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 set to take place in Pakistan, the BCCI’s refusal to send the Indian team over security concerns has put the tournament in jeopardy. This decision could lead to significant changes, including India’s potential withdrawal and Sri Lanka stepping in, mirroring the Asia Cup 2023 scenario.
The ICC Champions Trophy, set to be held in Pakistan next year, has entered a familiar phase of uncertainty. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament due to security concerns. In a strategic move, Pakistan had scheduled Lahore as the sole venue for Indian matches, hoping to alleviate fears and secure the Indian board’s approval. However, this plan appears to be faltering as the BCCI has proposed alternative venues like Dubai and Sri Lanka for a hybrid model of the tournament.
A formal discussion on this proposal has not yet been held, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) might have limited options other than agreeing to the Indian board’s demands. Should the PCB insist on hosting all matches in Pakistan, the Indian team could decide to withdraw from the Champions Trophy, especially since obtaining government approval seems unlikely.
If India does pull out, Sri Lanka would take their place in the tournament, having finished 9th in the 2023 ODI World Cup standings. This situation mirrors last year’s Asia Cup 2023, where Pakistan had hosting rights but had to shift Indian matches to Sri Lanka due to the Indian government’s refusal to grant travel approval.
India has not played in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, and the two teams now only face each other in ICC or ACC events. Their most recent encounter was in the T20 World Cup 2024, where India triumphed over Pakistan by six runs in the group stage, eventually winning their second title.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will mark the first major international cricket tournament hosted solely by Pakistan. Previously, Pakistan co-hosted the 1996 Cricket World Cup with India and Sri Lanka and the 1987 Reliance Cup with India.
With geopolitical tensions and security concerns at the forefront, the cricketing world watches closely as these developments unfold.
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