The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly submitted its draft for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, scheduling the marquee India vs Pakistan clash at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 1. However, it’s still uncertain whether India will travel to Pakistan for the ICC event.
The two neighboring nations haven’t played a bilateral series since 2012-13 due to strained relations, meeting only in ICC events. Their most recent encounter was in the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York, where India secured a thrilling six-run victory.
Media reports, quoting the news agency PTI, indicate that the PCB has finalized its 2025 ICC Champions Trophy draft. Regarding India’s participation, PTI cited an ICC member saying:
“All board chiefs of the ICC Champions Trophy participating countries (minus BCCI) have assured their complete support, but BCCI will consult its government and update the ICC.”
The source further added, “The PCB has submitted the draft of the 15-match ICC Champions Trophy. Seven games in Lahore, three in Karachi, and five in Rawalpindi.”
According to the draft, the tournament’s opening match will be in Karachi, with the semifinals in Karachi and Rawalpindi, and the final in Lahore. All of India’s matches, including the semifinal if they qualify, are scheduled in Lahore for security and logistical reasons.
The 2025 Champions Trophy is set to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, with March 10 as the reserve day for the final. The draft places India in Group A with Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Australia, South Africa, England, and Afghanistan are in Group B.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who attended the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados, submitted the 15-match schedule. The PTI report notes that India’s matches are planned exclusively in Lahore due to security and logistical considerations.
India Refused to Play in the 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan
It’s worth noting that India also declined to travel to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup, leading to the tournament being played in a hybrid model, with India’s matches held in Sri Lanka.
In April, IANS reported that BCCI sources suggested India might not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy either, hinting that a hybrid model could be used for this tournament as well.
As anticipation builds for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the cricketing world awaits BCCI’s response to the PCB’s draft and the potential for another iconic India-Pakistan showdown.
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