Pakistan is set to host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, marking the return of an ICC event to the country after nearly three decades. However, speculation has been rife regarding India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
Despite the election of BCCI Secretary Jay Shah as the new ICC Chairman, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif believes India’s participation in Pakistan is still possible. Latif suggests that Shah’s unopposed election indicates support from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and that he is unlikely to approve a decision for India to play at a neutral venue.
“I think we have received 50% confirmation that India is coming to Pakistan,” Latif stated.
Latif also praised Shah’s contributions to cricket, both at the BCCI and ICC levels.
Pakistan has not hosted a major ICC event since co-hosting the 1996 Cricket World Cup. While they hosted the 2023 Asia Cup, India opted to play their matches in Sri Lanka. India’s last visit to Pakistan for a cricket match was in 2008 for the Asia Cup.
India-Pakistan matches are highly anticipated in ICC tournaments, often drawing massive viewership. After Pakistan’s visit to India for the 2023 Cricket World Cup, India’s potential return to Pakistan in 2025 would be a significant development.
Interestingly, Pakistan and India are the two most recent winners of the Champions Trophy. Pakistan defeated India in the final of the 2017 edition, while India won the title in 2013 under MS Dhoni’s leadership.
