Check out the latest update on ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy seems to have turned into a mystery, with no openings in sight. The schedule has been set, and the hosts are buried in preparations for the marquee event. However, the venue for the ICC series still has a cloud of uncertainty over it. The Pakistan Cricket Board earned the hosting rights for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The board, meanwhile, has been renovating its main venues to ensure a seamless proceeding of the tournament. However, India is still to confirm its willingness to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. Amidst the speculations, a report recently suggested that the venue for the Champions Trophy final will be shifted to Dubai if India qualifies for the ultimate match.

ICC Champions Trophy: India remains uncertain of heading to Pakistan 

It is a well-known fact within the fraternity that the chances of India stepping into Pakistan are marginal at best. The political tension between the neighboring countries casts a safety concern for the Indian team. India has not played a match in Pakistan since the horrific 26/11 terror attack of 2008. The teams have not played any bilateral series against each other since then. However, Pakistan recently came to India for the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup.

There have been months of speculation about India’s stance on the situation. In the last update, BCCI’s vice president, Rajeev Shukla, addressed the subject. While the BCCI official failed to provide clarity, he informed that the decision lies in the hands of the government of India.

“No decision has been taken on it. But our policy is that for international tours, we always seek permission from the government. It’s up to the government to decide whether or not our team should go to any country. Whatever the government will decide, we will abide by that,” stated Rajeev Shukla had said earlier this month.

Pakistan, on the other hand, is keen on hosting the entire tournament within the confines of the nation. The PCB has called for the renovation of their main venues to ensure a seamless proceeding of the ICC tournament. Moreover, the Pakistan Cricket Board has already submitted a proposed schedule for the upcoming ICC event, set to kick off on February 19 and conclude with the final on March 9. Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi have been shortlisted as the host cities for the matches.

Amidst all the preparations, former Pakistan players are consistently appealing to the Indian players to come to their country for the event. Moreover, in a recent statement, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi expressed his belief that India will participate positively in the tournament without a need for a change in the venue.

 "The Indian team should come. I don't see them cancel or postpone coming here and we are confident we will host all the teams in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan," Naqvi said in his recent statement regarding the uncertainty.

Reports suggest change in the ICC Champions Trophy Final venue from Lahore to Dubai

As the tussle continues, a recent report from Telegraph UK stated that the ICC Champions Trophy final will be held in the UAE if India manages to reach the last stage of the series. It would not be the first instance of a tournament proceeding as per a hybrid model. The last edition of the Asia Cup was played across Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Pakistan had the hosting rights for the ACC event. However, as India opted out of playing in Pakistan, their matches were shifted to Sri Lanka. India eventually went on to win the series as they defeated Sri Lanka in the final match in Colombo.

Thus, if the BCCI finalizes its decision about the ICC Champions Trophy, the most likely conclusion will be that the ICC adopts a hybrid model to proceed. The report elaborated that while the chances are high for the final being shifted to Dubai from Lahore depending on India’s qualification, the semi-finals are also being considered for relocation. However, PCB was swift to rebuff the recent report regarding the suggestion.

PCB rubbishes reports about Champions Trophy relocation

In their latest statement, the PCB rubbished the report in strong words. The board remains optimistic about India coming to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The board ensured that the political tensions between the neighbouring countries won’t hinder the tournament in any capacity. Moreover, Pakistan reiterated its readiness to host the ICC event as it continues to improve the conditions of its stadiums to match international standards.

“Despite the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, the PCB remains steadfast in its stance to ensure a successful and uninterrupted tournament,” clarified the PCB. "There is absolutely no truth to the reports suggesting that the Champions Trophy final could be moved outside Pakistan. We are working diligently to ensure that all preparations for the tournament are on track, and we are confident that Pakistan will be able to host a memorable event,” the statement further explained.

As the PCB continues to rubbish multiple reports suggesting the relocation of certain matches, the ICC and BCCI remain silent on the matter. The BCCI has not come up with a single concrete decision about the ICC event scheduled for February. Moreover, in the absence of India’s clarity, the ICC is also mum about the developments and the plan ahead if India opts out of playing in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.