The highly anticipated 2025 Champions Trophy is scheduled to unfold in February, live on Sky Sports. However, the event has been jeopardized by reports indicating that India is unlikely to travel to Pakistan, casting a shadow over the tournament’s prospects.
This marks a significant milestone for Pakistan, as it prepares to host a global cricket event for the first time since it co-hosted the 1996 World Cup alongside India and Sri Lanka. The tournament, featuring eight formidable teams, is presently earmarked for February 19-March 9.
The 50-over competition returns to the international cricket calendar for the first time since Pakistan stunningly triumphed in the 2017 Champions Trophy, solidifying their place in cricketing history. Nevertheless, the tournament’s future is now uncertain due to India’s reluctance to compete on Pakistani soil.
In a dramatic 2017 final at The Oval, Pakistan claimed a dazzling victory over India by 180 runs, a moment etched in the memories of cricket fans worldwide.
How have similar issues been addressed by the ICC, and what lies ahead for the Champions Trophy? Here’s a comprehensive overview of the situation.
What was the original plan?
Alongside India and Pakistan, the tournament will feature a competitive lineup, including Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Afghanistan. These teams are set to be divided into two groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has designated Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore as the three host cities, with preliminary scheduling indicating that India could play all its group matches at a single venue.
While an official fixture list was anticipated for release on November 11, marking 100 days until the Champions Trophy, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to unveil the complete schedule.
Why would India not travel to Pakistan?
Long-standing political tensions have created a barrier, preventing the Indian cricket team from traveling to Pakistan since 2008. Additionally, the two teams have refrained from playing each other outside of major men’s tournaments since 2013.
The 2009 terror attacks on the Sri Lankan cricket team led to a prolonged absence of international cricket in Pakistan, with no touring teams visiting for six years. India has notably been the only team to abstain from playing in the country since international cricket resumed there in 2015.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially communicated to the ICC that India will not make the trip to Pakistan, citing a lack of governmental clearance. In light of this, the PCB is currently seeking advice from its own government regarding the situation.
“We have received an e-mail from the ICC which states that India will not be coming to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy,” a PCB spokesperson confirmed.
Although Pakistan traveled to India for the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 50-over World Cup, a “hybrid model” was employed, with India’s matches being shifted to Sri Lanka during last year’s Asia Cup hosted by Pakistan.
Could the ‘hybrid model’ work again?
India’s refusal to play in Pakistan raises the possibility of hosting the tournament across multiple nations, with the United Arab Emirates, where the ICC headquarters are located, emerging as a prospective alternative in any hybrid scenario.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed reservations about accepting a shared hosting model during an announcement on November 8, emphasizing that there have been “no discussions” regarding such arrangements. He stated, “The Indian media are reporting it, but no formal communication has reached the PCB.”
”If we get a letter from India, I’ll have to go to my government and abide by their decisions. Pakistan has demonstrated great gestures to India in the past, and we’d like to clarify that India shouldn’t expect such friendly overtures from us every time,” he remarked.
Have teams previously decided against playing?
Historically, teams have abstained from playing in venues deemed unsafe. Notably, Australia and the West Indies declined to play matches in Sri Lanka during the 1996 World Cup due to bombings earlier that year, resulting in both matches being awarded to the host nation via walkover.
Similarly, England forfeited a match against co-hosts Zimbabwe during the 2003 World Cup as a protest against Robert Mugabe’s regime, while New Zealand pulled out of a match against Kenya in the same tournament due to safety concerns.
These instances were individual matches occurring in tournaments across multiple nations, which allowed teams to potentially reach the knockout stages. However, the nature of the Champions Trophy currently necessitates India to play all their matches in a single host country.
What could happen next?
The ICC is unlikely to move forward with a tournament devoid of India’s participation, given the immense financial repercussions and significant revenue losses that would ensue. Moreover, relocating fixtures to another country could jeopardize Pakistan’s participation in the tournament.
During England’s Test series in Pakistan, England Cricket Board chairman Richard Gould addressed the scheduling conflict, stating, “If you play the Champions Trophy without India, or Pakistan, the broadcast rights aren’t there, and we need to protect them.”
Pakistan is slated to host West Indies for a two-Test series in January, followed by a tri-nation ODI tournament featuring New Zealand and South Africa. The tri-nation tournament is set
**Interview with Cricket Analyst and Former Player, Ravi Shankar**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Ravi. With the Champions Trophy set to be hosted in Pakistan in February 2025, how do you assess the impact of India’s potential withdrawal from the tournament?
**Ravi Shankar:** Thanks for having me. The situation is very concerning for the tournament’s integrity. India’s participation is crucial not just for the competition but also for massive viewership and commercial value. If they withdraw, it undermines the event significantly.
**Editor:** This would be the first major cricket event in Pakistan since the 1996 World Cup. What does it mean for the country if the event doesn’t go ahead as planned?
**Ravi Shankar:** Hosting such an event is a monumental milestone for Pakistan. It symbolizes a return to normalcy and showcases the country’s ability to host international cricket. If it fails to take place due to political issues, it would be a major setback, both for cricket development in the country and for its international image.
**Editor:** India has cited governmental clearance as a barrier to travel. Can we expect any changes in this stance, given the historical context of cricketing relations between the two nations?
**Ravi Shankar:** Given the long-standing tensions, it’s hard to see any immediate change. The BCCI’s position reflects the complex diplomatic situation. Until there’s a significant shift in political relations, it’s likely that the Indian government won’t allow the team to travel to Pakistan.
**Editor:** There has been talk about a “hybrid model” and possibly co-hosting matches in other venues like the UAE. What are your thoughts on this approach?
**Ravi Shankar:** The hybrid model did work to some extent during the Asia Cup, but it’s a tricky solution. The PCB has made it clear they are not keen on sharing hosting rights. For Pakistan, hosting the event entirely on home soil is essential for asserting their status as a cricketing nation. A compromise might be necessary, but tensions will need to ease first.
**Editor:** Lastly, what are the next steps for the PCB and the ICC in light of these developments?
**Ravi Shankar:** The PCB will likely continue to engage with both their government and the ICC for clarity. They need to prepare for several scenarios, including India’s withdrawal or alternative hosting arrangements. Communication between the cricket boards is crucial for finding a path forward that respects the sporting spirit while also considering the current realities.
**Editor:** Thank you, Ravi, for your insights. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds in the coming months.
**Ravi Shankar:** My pleasure. Let’s hope for a solution that allows us to enjoy the Champions Trophy in its full glory!
