New Delhi: The Indian cricket team remains doubtful to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 scheduled to take place in the February-March window next year. Although the International Cricket Council has granted Pakistan to host the Champions Trophy, the political tensions with neighbouring country India will further dent the hopes for Pakistan to host a major tournament in a full-fledged manner.
According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) submitted a draft schedule to the ICC, wherein India was noted to play their fixture against the reigning champions in Lahore, though the groups weren’t mentioned. The Indian team’s travel is only feasible with subject to the Indian government’s approval.
According to a recent report by India Today, India will opt to play in a hybrid model similar to that of Asia Cup 2023 with their matches likely to be staged in either the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or Sri Lanka.
“It is highly unlikely that the team will travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy but a final will be taken by the government. So, in that case, a hybrid model is being worked out,” a source in the scheme of development was quoted as saying by India Today.
“India may play their matches in UAE or Sri Lanka just like 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 further added.
India played all their Asia Cup 2023 fixtures in Sri Lanka with the BCCI enforcing a hybrid model even though Pakistan was initially awarded complete hosting rights of the tournament. Consequently, Pakistan hosted just four out of the 13 fixtures of the Asia Cup last year.
Why India and Pakistan don’t fall on same page in big tournaments?
India and Pakistan cricket teams have been hit by the rift political relations over the years. The last time the two rivals played a bilateral series was in 2013 following which their meetings are only limited to global events such as Asia Cups and World Cups.
It should be noted that Pakistan travelled to India for the 2023 World Cup given that it was an ICC event. It will be key to observe what call does the ICC have to take in case the Indian cricket board officially refuse to travel to their neighbouring nation. It should also be noted that the Indian tennis team travelled to Pakistan earlier this year in February for their Davis Cup tie.
India played all their Asia Cup 2023 fixtures in Sri Lanka with the BCCI enforcing a hybrid model even though Pakistan was initially awarded complete hosting rights of the tournament. Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
