Cricket’s 100-ball Showdown: India Declines 2025 Champions Trophy Trip to Pakistan
In a significant development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian national team will not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. This decision comes as a result of the Indian government’s advisory, casting uncertainty over the future of the prestigious tournament.
The Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place across three venues in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025, features an eight-team lineup including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa. However, the BCCI’s decision not to send the Indian team means the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will need to activate a contingency plan, likely involving a hybrid model where teams shuttle between Pakistan and a second venue.
“Various contingency plans had been developed in the event of such a scenario.”
The UAE, due to its proximity to Pakistan, is reportedly the frontrunner to host a portion of the tournament, with Sri Lanka also on the shortlist.
The BCCI’s stance on the matter was communicated to the ICC earlier this week, though it remains unclear whether the decision was conveyed orally or in writing. The ICC is now awaiting written confirmation before relaying the information to the PCB, as Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, has emphasized the need for any objections to be provided in writing before any final decisions are made.
This development comes amidst the long-standing political tensions between India and Pakistan, which have prevented the two teams from engaging in regular bilateral series since 2008. The last time the two sides faced each other in a bilateral contest was during Pakistan’s white-ball tour of India in 2012-13.
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