The ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9 next year. As Pakistan has been awarded the hosting rights, the biggest issue is whether the Indian team will travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next year. Given the strained diplomatic and political relations, it is highly likely that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan. However, the final decision rests with the Indian government.
If India does not travel to Pakistan, the tournament may be held under a hybrid model. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants to host the entire tournament in Pakistan. According to Pakistani media reports, the PCB will not back down from its stance of hosting the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and will maintain this position during the ICC meeting in Sri Lanka this week.
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The ICC board meeting is scheduled to take place from July 19 to 22. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi may attend this meeting in Colombo. The report also states that if India does not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, Pakistan will boycott the T20 World Cup in 2026, which is to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Last year, India also refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, forcing the PCB to hold the tournament under a ‘hybrid model’. Now, Pakistan fears that this tournament might also have to be held under a ‘hybrid model’, similar to the Asia Cup 2023. If the Indian team does not travel to Pakistan, India’s matches in the Champions Trophy may be shifted to the UAE or Sri Lanka.
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In ICC board meetings, every member can raise issues which are then voted on. However, if a member country’s government states that they cannot play in a particular location, the ICC has to look for alternatives. During last year’s Asia Cup, BCCI President Roger Binny and Vice-President Rajeev Shukla visited Pakistan.
PCB has already prepared and sent the Champions Trophy schedule to the ICC and its member countries for approval. Once approved by all, it will be released. However, the schedule has already been leaked. According to it, the Champions Trophy 2025 will commence in Karachi on February 19, with the opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand. The schedule also indicates that India and Pakistan are in the same group, with their match set for March 1 in Lahore. All of India’s matches are scheduled to be held in Lahore.
