India Unlikely To Travel To Pakistan For Champions Trophy, ICC Might Suggest Hybrid Model | Reports

July 14, 2024 0 773

The ICC began exploring alternative plans for the 2025 Champions Trophy after the BCCI requested to relocate India’s matches due to political tensions.

The Indian cricket team is unlikely to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy scheduled for February–March 2025. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly planning to request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to hold their matches in a “hybrid model,” with India playing at an alternate venue.

India’s willingness to play outside Pakistan emerged from the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan. Team India has not toured Pakistan for a bilateral series since 2012–13 and has only faced them in ICC events or the Asia Cup on neutral grounds.

The Express Tribune reported that the ICC is exploring alternative plans in case the BCCI’s request to relocate India’s matches is denied. ANI previously revealed the BCCI’s proposal to the ICC, seeking to play their matches in either Sri Lanka or Dubai.

ALSO READ | Sourav Ganguly Reminds Critics: ‘I Appointed Rohit Sharma Captain’

According to BCCI sources, Sri Lanka and Dubai are the preferred options for hosting India’s Champions Trophy matches. Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had proposed holding all India matches in Lahore, but the BCCI has clarified that any tour to Pakistan would require approval from the Indian government. This scenario mirrored the recent Asia Cup, originally planned for Pakistan. Due to political reasons, all of India’s matches, including the final against Pakistan, were held in Sri Lanka.

The Champions Trophy’s first two editions were held in Kenya and Bangladesh, but their commercial success led to future tournaments being staged in major cricketing countries like England and India. The last edition, held in England in 2017, saw Pakistan emerge victorious, defeating India in the final. India has won the Champions Trophy twice: under MS Dhoni in 2013 and jointly with Sri Lanka in 2002.