Doubts loom over the conduct of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 entirely in Pakistan due to India’s reluctance to travel to the neighbouring country. Bilateral cricketing ties between both nations have been suspended since 2013 but Pakistan’s visit to India last year for the ODI World Cup hinted at a possible reciprocal tour.
Reports suggest that all India matches will be scheduled in Lahore as the city is close to the Indo-Pak border. But it has also been learned that BCCI is hesitant to send the team to Pakistan and a hybrid model is expected, similar to the Asia Cup 2023. In fact, no dialogue between the BCCI and PCB on the matter at the recently-concluded ICC Annual Conference in Colombo keeps the doubts brewing.
Meanwhile, former captain Younis Khan has urged Team India to travel to Pakistan, citing that it is the “only thing left” in Virat Kohli’s career. The former Indian captain has played in the country for the Under-19 team but not as a part of the senior men’s team. India’s last tour of the country was in 2006, two years prior to Kohli’s debut in international cricket.
“Virat Kohli should come to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. It is our wish too. I think the only thing left in Virat’s career is to tour Pakistan and perform,” Younis Khan to News24, as quoted by pakistancricket.com.
PCB Leaves It Up to ICC
According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), the budget for the tournament was approved during the ICC meeting that took place in Colombo but topics like the scheduling and format of the tournament were not a point of discussion as per a PCB source.
“It is now up to the ICC how soon they circulate, discuss and finalize the schedule of the Champions Trophy. The PCB for its part in the draft schedule has suggested hosting all of India’s games in Lahore including a semi-final (if India qualifies) and final,” he said.
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