The Indian cricket team, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, is unlikely to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is advocating for the matches to be relocated to either Sri Lanka or Dubai. Sources tell ABP News that several players of the Indian team are also not willing to go to Pakistan to play in the upcoming ICC event.
Government sources informed ABP News that Pakistan's decision to downgrade diplomatic relations with India since 2019, including sending back the Indian High Commissioner, makes it highly unlikely for the Indian team to visit. Sources further say that Pakistan's stance on counterterrorism also suggests no conducive environment for such sports engagements, making a trip to Pakistan seem far-fetched.
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Champions Trophy Matches Including India Likely To Be Held In Dubai Or Sri Lanka
Pakistan has the hosting rights for the upcoming 50-overs extravaganza- Champions Trophy, marking its return to the cricket calendar after the last event in 2017. However, there is a possibility that some matches in the tournament will be held in either the UAE or Sri Lanka.
As per an ANI report also, the Indian cricket team is unlikely to visit Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. According to BCCI sources speaking to ANI, the BCCI intends to request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to hold the matches in Dubai or Sri Lanka instead.
Pakistan Were Forced To Adopt Hybrid Format For 2023 Asia Cup
Previously, the Asia Cup in 2023 also adopted a hybrid format, with India playing all their matches in Sri Lanka while the other participating countries travelled to Pakistan. As a result, all of India's matches were instead played in Sri Lanka, where Rohit Sharma's team emerged victorious in the tournament held just before the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Last month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) submitted a draft schedule for the Champions Trophy to the ICC, which included India's matches scheduled in Lahore, including the highly anticipated match against arch-rivals Pakistan on March 1.
Interestingly, the last Champions Trophy in 2017 saw India and Pakistan reaching the final and Pakistan defeated India by 180 runs to clinch the title under the leadership of Sarfraz Ahmed.