Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur has commented on whether India would travel to Pakistan to play the Champions Trophy in 2025. The ICC announced the hosts of the T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, and World Cup between 2024 and 2031 on Tuesday. Pakistan was decided to be the host country for Champions Trophy 2025.
When asked about India's participation in the Champions Trophy 2025, Thakur said that the Indian government and the Home Ministry will take a call on it when the time comes.
"When the time will come, the Indian government and the Home Ministry will take a decision. During the international championships, all the factors are looked upon," Thakur told ANI.
"Even in past, many countries have refused to play in Pakistan due to security concerns. As you all know, many players were even attacked while playing over there and that's a big issue to be dealt with," he added.
After almost 29 years, an ICC event will be hosted by Pakistan on its home soil. The last time, Pakistan hosted a major ICC tournament was the 1996 World Cup which was jointly co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
The previous Champions Trophy was played in 2017 and Pakistan had defeated India in the final of that competition.
Pakistan Cricket Board's chairman, Ramiz Raja expressed happiness after ICC announced. He said: "It’s a matter of great pride and delight that Pakistan will be hosting ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This great news will surely excite millions of Pakistani fans, expats and world fans to see great teams and players in action and will allow the world to sample our hospitality," on Twitter.