The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has denied receiving any official proposal from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Pakistan, but India’s participation remains uncertain due to political tensions between the two countries.
Media reports have suggested that the PCB has proposed a plan that would allow the Indian team to travel back to Delhi or Chandigarh after each game in Pakistan for security reasons. However, the BCCI has stated that it has not received any such proposal and that the decision on India’s participation lies with the Indian government.
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series in over a decade, and their only encounters have been during international tournaments. While India’s participation in the Champions Trophy remains in doubt, Pakistan traveled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The PCB is reportedly prepared for the possibility that India may not travel to Pakistan for the tournament. However, the board has stated that it will not move the title clash from Lahore even if India qualifies for the final. The PCB’s stance will be discussed at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting in Dubai from October 18 to 21.
The BCCI may request the ICC to hold the tournament in a hybrid model, with India’s matches being played in a neutral venue such as Sri Lanka or Dubai. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, which hosted the final of the 1996 World Cup, is currently undergoing renovations to increase its seating capacity.
The decision on India’s participation in the Champions Trophy will ultimately depend on the Indian government’s assessment of the security situation in Pakistan. The tournament is scheduled to be held from February 26 to March 19, 2025.
