Pakistan is bracing to host the first ICC event since 1997 at home. The Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to commence in February. With all the teams taking centre stage in Pakistan, India has reportedly denied touring the country. The move comes after the Indian government did not allow the Men in Blue to travel across the border due to age-old political and geographical tensions between the countries.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sought the Indian government’s reluctance to send the team to Pakistan and opted out of travelling to the neighbouring country. With these rumours catching attention, as per TOI, BCCI Secretary, Jay Shah has condemned Pakistan Cricket Board’s latest tweet calling their countrymen for the Trophy tour. The venues include Skardu, Hunza and Muzaffarabad which falls under Pakistan-occupied-Jammu-Kashmir (PoJK).
Also Read: ICC asks BCCI for written explanation on refusing to travel to Pakistan
“Jay Shah has objected to that tweet [post] and has criticised and condemned PCB’s plan to take the trophy to Pok cities. Additionally, PCB has no business sharing the schedule because it has to come from the ICC. Things need to be done appropriately, via appropriate channels,” a source said as quoted by TOI.
PCB is not ready to adopt a hybrid model
PCB also have reportedly denied any chance of opting for a hybrid model. This model will see India playing all their games in an neutral venue as happened during the Asia Cup 2023. The Asia Cup was scheduled to take place solely in Pakistan in 2023. But BCCI showed reluctance to tour the country and India played all their games in Sri Lanka.
Also Read: ICC Launches Refreshed Visual Identity for Champions Trophy
There are also speculations of the United Arab Emirates being one of the venues which can play host to India matches for Champions Trophy 2025. The speculations arise due to its proximity to Pakistan and moreover it was also the home for Pakistan during their ban by ICC to host any international match after extremist attack on a visiting Sri Lanka team.