India’s Champions Trophy Match Likely in UAE Amid Doubts Over Pakistan Visit

The Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to be held in Pakistan. There are concerns over India’s participation in matches here. A media report claims that the International Cricket Council (ICC) could organize it on a ‘hybrid model’ like the Asia Cup.

A source from the ICC Executive Board told PTI, “If the Indian government does not permit the Indian team to visit Pakistan, ICC cannot force the board there. They will have to find alternatives.” Currently, meetings of ICC Board members are ongoing in Dubai. While this issue is not on the meeting agenda, discussions among members could occur.

The matches of the Asia Cup were held in Sri Lanka. Even last year, when Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup, matches were played on a ‘hybrid model’ when India wasn’t there. India’s matches were held in Sri Lanka. In the final match played in Colombo, the Indian team defeated Sri Lanka by ten wickets to win the championship.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will attempt to secure assurances from Jay Shah

Discussions about the Champions Trophy are not on the agenda of the ICC meeting, but the newly-elected PCB Chairman Mohsin Nakvi said that they would try to secure assurances by holding discussions with BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and ICC officials outside the meeting.

A member of the ICC Board revealed that as the tournament dates draw near, decisions will be made by the Indian board. However, there is no rejection of the possibility of organizing it in the UAE. It was also mentioned that this tournament, like the Asia Cup, is not a bilateral tournament but a global tournament. Therefore, the Indian government can adopt a softer stance.

BCCI Chief Sourav Ganguly and Vice President Rajeev Shukla had gone to Pakistan during the Asia Cup.

More risks lie ahead for Team India

A former official of the BCCI has said that we should not forget that the Indian cricket team faces more risks from Australia, New Zealand, or England. Indeed, the relations between India and Pakistan are currently not very positive. India is only a target for terrorists in Pakistan. In such a situation, Indian players could be at risk from terrorists in Pakistan.

There was a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan. However, no player or support staff was injured in this attack.