Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to skip participating in the 2026 World Cup in India if the BCCI does not allow the Indian cricket team to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025, Geo News Urdu reported.
As per several media reports, the Indian government is unlikely to permit the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to send Team India to Pakistan for ICC Men's 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled for February-March 2025. BCCI may request ICC to adopt a hybrid model for India's matches, enabling the Men in Blue to play their Champions Trophy 2025 matches at a neutral venue, most likely either Dubai or Sri Lanka, but not in Pakistan.
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However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is determined to host all Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Pakistan and plans to oppose any proposals for a hybrid model during the ICC’s annual conference in Colombo, scheduled between July 19-22.
What will happen if India decides to skip playing Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan?
If India opts out of the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, Sri Lanka might replace them based on ICC rankings. The tournament is scheduled to be held from 19 February to 9 March.
Champions Trophy matches will take place in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore, with all of India's matches scheduled to be held in Lahore. PCB has reportedly allocated Rs 12.80 billion for the upgrade of three stadiums: Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, Karachi's National Bank Cricket Arena, and Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium.
Except for India, all 8 teams participating in Champions Trophy have already played in Pakistan. PCB believes that BCCI has no concrete reason for not sending their national cricket team to Pakistan.
Team India last toured Pakistan for a bilateral series during the 2008 Asia Cup. Since then, both teams have only faced each other in ICC tournaments.