(Image source from: AFP)
The conflict between the Indian and Pakistani cricket boards regarding the 2025 Champions Trophy continues to escalate. The International Cricket Council has already informed the Pakistani board that India will not travel to Pakistan for the upcoming tournament. In response, the Pakistani board has shared the ICC's confirmation with their government. Now, reports suggest that Pakistan may consider withdrawing from the event altogether. The Pakistani cricket chief has stated that they will not accept a hybrid model where India plays its matches at a neutral venue. Furthermore, the Pakistani government is reportedly considering asking their cricket board to withdraw from the Champions Trophy.
The Pakistani government may request the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to refuse playing against India in any ICC or Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournaments until the issues between the two countries are resolved at the governmental level. Last year, the Asia Cup was planned to be held in Pakistan, but it ultimately took place in a hybrid format, with India's matches being played in Sri Lanka. India and Pakistan have not had a bilateral series since 2012, but they have faced each other in ICC and Asia Cup tournaments.
Pakistan has visited India for the T20 World Cup in 2016 and the ODI World Cup in 2023. Regarding the upcoming Champions Trophy in 2025, the eight-team tournament is currently scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 9 next year, with Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi as the host cities. However, the fate of the tournament is currently uncertain. Previously, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif had claimed that Pakistan would withdraw from the Champions Trophy if India doesn't travel to the country for the tournament. The 1996 ODI World Cup remains the last time an ICC event was held in Pakistan. Pakistan won the last Champions Trophy after defeating India in the final of the 2017 event.
