India not to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy, likely to play in UAE

India have said that they will not travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to security concerns. The two nations have complicated geopolitical relations and India have not travelled to Pakistan for any cricket since 2008. As for the Champions Trophy, which starts in February 2025, India reportedly want their matches to be played in Dubai. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has maintained their stance regarding cricket matches in Pakistan, formally communicating to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) their preference for playing their matches in Dubai. “This has been our stance and there is no reason to change that. We have written to them and asked them to shift our games to Dubai,” a source in the know said was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

India were scheduled to play in Lahore

After a recent interaction between India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Islamabad, many speculated about the improved cricketing relations between the two nations. The meeting was the first high-level conversation between two nations since 2015 and had raised hopes for better bilateral sporting relations.

The PCB has indicated a willingness to consider a hybrid model for the tournament, similar to the 2023 Asia Cup arrangement when all of India's matches were played in Sri Lanka with Pakistan being the official hosts of the tournament.

The hybrid model in Champions Trophy would allow India's matches to be played in the UAE while Pakistan holidng the hosting rights. The tournament, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, is set to be played across Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi as of now.

Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025 fixtures likely to be announced next week

Pakistan has recently shown its capability to host international cricket, successfully welcoming teams like England and Bangladesh. However, India's last cricket tour to Pakistan dates back to the 2008 Asia Cup. The PCB is actively working with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to finalise the tournament schedule, with ICC officials expected to visit Lahore in the coming week.

According to the tentative schedule, the high-profile India-Pakistan match was initially planned for March 1 in Lahore. However, with India's latest development and the BCCI's decision made in consultation with the government, alternative arrangements will be confirmed soon.