India is unlikely to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. Sources reveal that the tournament will be held in a hybrid model. The 50-over tournament, scheduled for February-March, will see some matches hosted outside Pakistan. This decision comes as India remains hesitant to send its team to Pakistan.
The Champions Trophy will return to the cricket calendar after a gap since 2017. Pakistan holds the hosting rights for the tournament. However, the matches involving India are expected to be played either in the UAE or Sri Lanka. An insider shared this information with India Today, indicating that the hybrid model is the most feasible solution.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) submitted a draft schedule to the International Cricket Council (ICC) last month. According to the draft, India’s matches were planned in Lahore, including a marquee match against Pakistan on March 1. However, there has been no official confirmation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the travel plans.
“It is highly unlikely that the team will travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. A final decision will be taken by the government. In that case, a hybrid model is being considered. India may play their matches in UAE or Sri Lanka, similar to the Asia Cup. Although the ICC will also have their stand on it, as of now, this is what we are thinking of. Let’s see how things go in the future. As of now, it looks like it will be played in a hybrid model,” the source said.
The development follows PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi’s statement that efforts will be made to host the entire Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Naqvi mentioned this during an ICC Board Meeting in Colombo scheduled for later this July.
India and Pakistan have not engaged in bilateral cricket since the 2012-13 season. India last traveled to Pakistan in 2008. Former Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur stated last year that India would not resume bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan until the latter stops cross-border terrorism.
Last year, Pakistan had to host the Asia Cup in a hybrid model after India refused to travel to the neighboring country. India’s matches were held in Sri Lanka, and they eventually won the tournament. Pakistan, however, traveled to India to participate in the ODI World Cup.
Recently, ICC head of events Chris Tetley met with PCB chairman Naqvi in Islamabad. This followed an inspection of the venues and other arrangements by the world body’s security team. PCB allocated approximately 17 billion rupees to upgrade its stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi for the 50-over tournament featuring eight teams.
Pakistan won the Champions Trophy in 2017, defeating India in the final. The defending champions are eager to make a mark after disappointing performances in the ODI and T20 World Cups in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
