In a significant development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate India’s Champions Trophy 2025 matches away from Pakistan, proposing Dubai or Sri Lanka as alternative venues. The mega tournament, scheduled for early next year, is set to return after Pakistan’s victory in the 2017 final against India in England and Wales.
Sources within the BCCI indicated, “There is strong reluctance for the team to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, pending a final decision from the government. Therefore, a hybrid model is under consideration. India may play their matches in UAE or Sri Lanka, similar to the format used for the Asia Cup. The ICC’s stance on this matter will also be crucial, but for now, this is our plan. We will monitor developments closely.”
This decision follows the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) submission of a draft schedule to the ICC, grouping hosts Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand in one pool, while South Africa, Australia, England, and Afghanistan are grouped separately. India’s matches, including a marquee clash against Pakistan led by Babar Azam on March 1, are all slated for Lahore in the draft schedule.
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Bilateral cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have been absent since 2012-13, with political tensions since 2008 preventing India from touring Pakistan. The two sides last met in the recent T20 World Cup hosted by West Indies and the USA, where India secured a thrilling 6-run victory over Pakistan in New York, a contest watched keenly worldwide.
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