The tension around the 2025 Champions Trophy between India and Pakistan continues to escalate, with off-field issues potentially jeopardizing the tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now considering taking firm action against India. A local Pakistani news source reported that the International Cricket Council (ICC) formally informed the PCB of India’s decision. The PCB has brought the matter to the attention of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government, with internal sources noting that officials are frustrated by what they see as India’s stubborn attitude.
According to a report by ‘Cricket Pakistan‘ last night, Pakistan is exploring all possible measures, including diplomatic discussions and even cancelling the team’s travel arrangements.
Recently, ESPN Cricinfo reported on a formal letter the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sent to the ICC, stating that India would not be traveling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. This stance comes from the fact that BCCI has not received any green light from the Indian government to tour Pakistan.
While the ICC has yet to release the official tournament schedule, British newspaper ‘The Telegraph’ leaked it a few months back, suggesting that the Champions Trophy is set to be held from February 19 to March 9. Typically, the ICC announces its tournament schedules 100 days in advance, and they have been under pressure to confirm the Champions Trophy dates. While an event was planned for today in Lahore to announce the schedule, the ICC reportedly had to cancel it last minute due to complications arising from India’s decision not to participate in Pakistan, according to a recent Cricbuzz report.
India last toured Pakistan in 2008. While Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, England, and New Zealand have all recently played in Pakistan, India has repeatedly cited security concerns. The 2023 Asia Cup also had to be co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka for this reason. The PCB had been hopeful of hosting India on Pakistani soil for the Champions Trophy, even planning for all of India’s matches to be held in Lahore with arrangements to fly players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back to India immediately after each day’s play on chartered flights. However, given the current circumstances, the tournament may have to be held in a hybrid model, with India’s matches likely being moved to the UAE.
The 2025 Champions Trophy will feature eight teams: Pakistan, India, Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. Known as the ‘Mini World Cup,’ the last Champions Trophy was held in 2017, where Pakistan claimed victory over India by 180 runs at The Oval in London.”
