Will India pull out? Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan faces hurdles

The Indian cricket team is unlikely to visit Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled for February and March next year.

According to media reports, a source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed that the board plans to request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to hold the matches in Dubai or Sri Lanka.

"India will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. We will tell ICC to hold its matches in Dubai or Sri Lanka," the BCCI source said.

Last year, Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup, but India, the eventual winners, played all their matches in Sri Lanka under a "hybrid model."

On May 6, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla stated that the Indian team would only travel to Pakistan for the tournament if authorised by the central government.

"In the case of the Champions Trophy, we will do whatever the Government of India tells us to do. We send our team only when the Government of India gives us permission. So we will go according to the decision of the Indian government," Shukla said.

India has not toured Pakistan since 2008, and the arch-rivals now only face each other in multi-team events.

The upcoming Champions Trophy marks the first major cricket event in Pakistan since it co-hosted the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.

The tournament's proposed schedule places Pakistan in Group A alongside India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Group B comprises England, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan.

The tournament is scheduled to run from February 19 to March 9, with a reserve day on March 10. Matches will be held in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, with Lahore hosting seven matches including the final. Karachi's National Stadium will host the opening match and one semi-final among a total of three matches, and Rawalpindi will host five matches, including the other semi-final.