India’s participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan remains uncertain, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) yet to confirm their plans. Last year, Pakistan co-hosted the Asia Cup under a hybrid model, with India playing their matches in Sri Lanka due to security concerns.
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has expressed his disappointment over India’s reluctance to tour Pakistan. He believes that if Australia can visit Pakistan, India should follow suit. “When a team like Australia can visit Pakistan, why not India? The India-Pakistan bilateral series should happen. Both governments need to sit and talk. This will benefit cricket,” Akmal told Times of India.
The BCCI has consistently stated that the Indian team will only travel to Pakistan with the approval of the central government. India captain Rohit Sharma has also emphasized that the players are willing to play anywhere, but the final decision rests with the government.
Akmal, however, believes that the Pakistan government would never prevent their players from playing in India. He pointed out that Pakistan toured India for the ODI World Cup last year. “Pehle aapne Asia Cup le liya, ab Champions Trophy ki baatein kar rahe hain. Kyun kar rahe hain aap aisa? (First you took away the Asia Cup from Pakistan; now talking about the Champions Trophy, why?) … Pakistan has done a lot of hard work to bring cricket back to the country. If India invites Pakistan, our government will never stop us. They will say, ‘Go and play.’ The Indian government should do the same. Let’s keep politics aside and play cricket,” he added.
The Champions Trophy is a prestigious tournament that brings together the top eight ODI teams in the world. Pakistan has invested heavily in hosting the event and is eager to showcase its progress in bringing international cricket back to the country. India’s participation would be a significant boost for Pakistan and would help to further strengthen the bonds between the two nations through the shared love of cricket.
