Will India Play ICC Champions Trophy 2025 In Pakistan?

After India's victory in the final of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 against South Africa by 7 runs at Barbadoes Stadium in Kingstowne, the question of concern for every Indian fan is weather Man in Blue will be playing in ICC Champions trophy 2025 in Pakistan? As India haven’t visited Pakistan since 2008, the last time they were against each other was in the 2008 Asia Cup. However, after Pakistan given the hosting rights of the Champions Trophy, India participation remains uncertain due to political tension and security reasons between the two Asian Countries. Through this article, we are going to know weather India will be travelling to Pakistan with other countries or BCCI will request the ICC to arrange India matches at a different venue.

Despite being 2 of the best cricket-playing nations in the Asian Countries, India and Pakistan don’t play against each other due to the political tension between them after the 2008 Mumbai attacks. After that, these 2 Asian Giants majorly meet in ICC events and Asia Cup, on the condition that India will not travel to Pakistan due to security reasons and threats. But looking at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where ICC have given hosting rights to Pakistan on three different venues, India needs to confirm with their government officials to travel to Pakistan. 

They last played a bilateral series in December 2012 and January 2013 when Pakistan toured India for a white ball series. India last visited Pakistan for a bilateral commitment in early 2006. However, Pakistan travelled to India in late 2023 for the 50-over World Cup after their government confirmed the tour, opening up a slight possibility that India would do likewise for the 2025 Champions Trophy. 

Throwing light on this the PCB Chairman said, 

“Six of the seven countries have been supportive and encouraging because their teams have been toPakistan and they have had firsthand information about what the country has delivered and the lengths it has gone to deliver them".

“The boards have also had the feedback from the players who have come here for international cricket and to play in the Pakistan Super League.”

One of the reasons that PCB wants to host the marquee event is that after the 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup it will be the first time that Pakistan will be hosting an ICC Tournament and for the past three months, several ICC delegations have visited Pakistan and expressed their satisfaction.

It marks the return of the tournament to the international cricket calendar after it was scrapped following the 2017 edition. Pakistan won that competition with a 180-run victory over India at The Oval in London, England.

Few days back, BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla opined about India’s participation in ICC Champions Trophy during an interview with ANI.

"In the case of the Champion Trophy, we will do whatever the Government of India will tell us to do. We send our team only when the Government of India gives us permission. So we will go according to the decision of the Indian government," Shukla told ANI.