Lahore To Host India vs Pakistan Clash In ICC Champions Trophy 2025

After an exciting clash between India and Pakistan in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, reports and details about their next encounter have emerged. The Southeast Asian giants are scheduled to compete in next year's ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, where they will face off at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been under scrutiny for various reasons, the most significant being Team India's refusal to play in Pakistan due to the country's geopolitical conflicts with the host nation. According to reports, Lahore has been selected as the venue for the high-profile match in the proposed schedule of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Lahore likely to host India vs Pakistan clash in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Lahore has been selected as the venue for the high-profile India vs Pakistan match in the proposed schedule of the Pakistan Cricket Board. This, of course, will go through with approval from the government of India before being played in Pakistan. If the permission isn't granted, the tournament may proceed with a hybrid model similar to the one used in last year's Asia Cup. For the ICC Champions Trophy, the UAE could be the venue for the India games, although the PCB has reportedly been told to proceed with its preparations. 

The PCB plans to hold the ICC Champions Trophy in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi during the 20-day competition. Lahore will be the designated venue for the India games. According to the schedule, Lahore will host seven games, Rawalpindi will host five, and three will be played in Karachi. The port city is set to host the opening match on February 19, followed by one of the two semifinals; the other will be played in Rawalpindi. As per the proposed schedule, the final will be played on March 9 in Lahore, and the second semifinal will be played if Team India qualifies.

Pakistan is on the brink of an early elimination from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 after losing to co-hosts USA and arch-rivals India by 6 runs in New York on Sunday, June 9. Babar Azam-led side experienced a major upset at the World Cup in Dallas, Texas on June 6. They lost in a Super Over against the USA. Three days later, they faced another setback with a defeat to India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.

Talking about the Pakistan Super Eight Qualification Scenario, the Men in Green's World Cup campaign is in tatters after two consecutive defeats. The only scenario that would allow them to advance is if they win against both Ireland and Canada and if the winner of the India vs USA game also wins their last match, while the loser of that match loses their last fixture. In this case, Pakistan would be tied on four points with one or more teams, and the Net Run Rate (NRR) would determine the outcome.