The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faces a crucial decision over its hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Following reports that India may refuse to participate if the tournament is held in Pakistan, concerns have emerged that the International Cricket Council (ICC) could shift the venue to a neutral location. This situation could prompt Pakistan to withdraw from the tournament entirely if it loses hosting rights.
A report from Pakistani newspaper The Dawn highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the tournament, as a PCB source indicated the board may reconsider Pakistan’s participation should the hosting rights be moved elsewhere.
India’s Reluctance to Travel Sparks Possible Venue Change
According to reports, the ICC recently notified the PCB that the Indian cricket team would likely not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, citing political and security concerns. This stance mirrors India’s refusal to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, which was eventually held in a hybrid model, with several games hosted in Sri Lanka. Following the ICC’s email, the PCB sought guidance from the Pakistani government on its next steps, creating additional tension between the two cricket boards.
The Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be held from February 19 to March 9, with matches initially scheduled in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. However, if a hybrid model or an alternative host country is considered, Pakistan may choose to forgo its role in the tournament entirely.
Pakistan’s Possible Withdrawal: Government’s Stance on the Matter
A PCB insider shared that the Pakistani government is evaluating potential responses to India’s stance. One option under discussion is for Pakistan to refuse to participate in the Champions Trophy if its hosting rights are taken away. The PCB has reportedly informed the ICC that it is unwilling to adopt the hybrid model, in which some matches would be held at a neutral location while others remain in Pakistan.
“If India’s participation is guaranteed only by moving the tournament to a neutral location, the government may recommend that Pakistan withdraws,” the source revealed.
Champions Trophy Schedule and Group Dynamics
According to the proposed Champions Trophy schedule, Group A includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Group B consists of Australia, South Africa, England, and Afghanistan. India’s matches are slated for February 20 (against Bangladesh), February 23 (against Pakistan), and March 2 (against New Zealand), with all Indian games potentially hosted in Lahore under the initial plan.
However, with India’s reluctance to play in Pakistan, these matches may be reassigned to another location if a neutral venue is ultimately chosen. This situation would echo the Asia Cup 2023, where games involving India were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid arrangement. Should the Champions Trophy venue change, the PCB may reconsider its involvement due to the diminished home advantage.
Historical Context: India-Pakistan Cricket Relations
India and Pakistan’s cricket relations have been strained for years, with bilateral series becoming rare since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The last bilateral series took place in 2012-13, with Pakistan visiting India for three ODIs and two T20s. Since then, the teams have only met in ICC and ACC tournaments, typically at neutral venues. Both teams faced off in the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India, where the Indian team emerged victorious in Ahmedabad on October 14.
These longstanding political tensions have limited their interactions on the field, with matches between the two often marked by intense public and media attention. Since 2013, India and Pakistan have played just 21 matches, including ODIs and T20Is, all at neutral venues.
Champions Trophy 2025: Hosting Dilemma and Possible Outcomes
The ICC awarded the hosting rights of the Champions Trophy 2025 to Pakistan, marking the nation’s return as a major ICC tournament host. However, if India refuses to travel and the ICC decides to move the tournament, Pakistan could lose the opportunity to host its first major ICC event in over two decades.
The PCB has already submitted a draft schedule and venues for the Champions Trophy, with the expectation that Pakistan would host all matches. But without a viable compromise with the BCCI, ICC may face mounting pressure to relocate the event entirely to avoid complications.
Will Pakistan Proceed Without India?
If hosting rights are taken away, Pakistan’s potential exit from the Champions Trophy would have significant implications for the tournament’s viewership and regional relations. An outright withdrawal by Pakistan would mean forfeiting participation in the very tournament it was slated to host—a move that could also impact PCB’s financial prospects and its reputation within the cricket community.
India and Pakistan’s rivalry remains one of the most-watched spectacles in cricket, drawing in millions of viewers globally. An absence of either team would be a blow to the tournament’s appeal, especially to fans in the subcontinent. However, the PCB’s stance suggests that it values its hosting rights as much as its participation, setting the stage for a challenging decision by the ICC.
