BCCI Confirms India's Non-Participation in Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025.

Posted 2 months ago

Sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have informed ANI that Team India plans to request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate their matches to Dubai or Sri Lanka during the Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan.

India's last cricket tour to Pakistan dates back to 2008, marking over a decade since these fierce rivals faced off on Pakistani soil.

It's likely that a hybrid model similar to the Asia Cup 2023 will be used for the Champions Trophy. In that tournament, India played all their matches in Sri Lanka while the other games were held in Pakistan.

The Champions Trophy is a multi-nation ODI tournament that started in 1998. There have been nine editions so far.

India and Australia have both won it twice, while South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan have each won it once.

The 2002 edition ended with Sri Lanka and India sharing the trophy after the competition was washed out.

Previously, the Champions Trophy was a precursor to the ODI World Cup, and it will serve that role again this time. It's a key preparation event for teams gearing up for the 50-over World Cup scheduled for South Africa in 2027.

At one point, the tournament faced declining interest and was put on hold. The ICC is now revitalizing it, with the Champions Trophy returning after an eight-year hiatus in 2025.