The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opted to propose Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore as a potential venue for all Team India matches for the Champions Trophy 2025 as per a Cricbuzz report. In the initial draft schedule submitted to the International Cricket Council (ICC), PCB identified Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi as the preferred venues for hosting the ICC event in February-March of the upcoming year. The ICC will solicit feedback from participating nations regarding these suggested venues and then move forward with the request.


The proposal to base India in one city seems to have been made to mitigate potential logistical and security challenges associated with their travel. Furthermore, selecting Lahore as the base, given its proximity to the Wagah border crossing between the two countries, offers Indian fans a comparatively more convenient option for visiting the matches.


17 Years Since Team India Visited Pakistan


Pakistan, as the defending champions of the Champions Trophy, secured victory over India in the final at The Oval, England in the last edition back in 2017. If held in Pakistan, it would mark the first time the country will have hosted the Champions Trophy. The competition was initially allotted to the country in 2008 but was relocated due to security concerns, with South Africa hosting it in 2009.


The Indian cricket team has not been to Pakistan for 17 years, since the Asia Cup in 2008 due to various factors, initially rising from security concerns and later worsened by diplomatic tensions between the governments of the two countries. During the Asia Cup held in September of 2023, the PCB, designated as the host, was made to adopt a hybrid model with venues in two countries. Consequently, India played their matches in Sri Lanka.


The confirmed teams for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy comprise Pakistan (hosts), South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan, England and Bangladesh. However, India's participation is dependent upon approval from the Government of India. It will be interesting to see how they respond to this.