The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) of its unwillingness to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled for February-March 2025.
The PCB received an email from the ICC stating that the BCCI had communicated its decision not to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. The PCB has forwarded the email to the Government of Pakistan for advice and guidance.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had previously stated that Pakistan would unveil its policy once it received something in writing from the ICC. The BCCI had earlier intimated the ICC about India’s inability to travel to Pakistan, leaving the PCB with no option but to organize the Champions Trophy in a ‘Hybrid Model.’ However, Naqvi had also said that the ‘Hybrid Model’ was unacceptable to Pakistan.
India has not sent its cricket team to Pakistan since 2008 when they last participated in the Asia Cup under Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy. Pakistan has toured India for a bilateral white-ball series in 2012-13, the T20 World Cup in 2016, and the 50-over World Cup last year.
As reported earlier, India will play all its matches in Dubai, and the high-profile India vs. Pakistan tie will also be held in the UAE. A BCCI source had earlier stated that the ICC would inform the host nation about the development and then finalize the tournament schedule.
Dubai is the preferred location for India’s matches due to its high stadium capacity and well-established infrastructure, as demonstrated during the recent Women’s T20 World Cup. Last year, the Asia Cup, hosted by Pakistan, had to be held in a ‘Hybrid Model’ after India refused to tour the country.
