As the cricket world gears up for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, speculation is mounting over whether Team India will tour Pakistan for the tournament. Jay Shah, the newly appointed Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and also the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is at the center of this debate. With the Champions Trophy set to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, in Pakistan, the possibility of India participating has become a hot topic.
Rashid Latif’s Bold Prediction
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Rashid Latif recently made a significant claim regarding India’s potential participation in the tournament. According to Latif, there’s a 50 percent chance that India will tour Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. He bases this prediction on the recent election of Jay Shah as ICC Chairman, suggesting that Pakistan’s support for Shah’s appointment might influence India’s decision to participate.
Speaking on a YouTube channel, Latif stated, “If Jay Shah has been elected unopposed as the ICC Chairman, it means that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also given its support. I think it is unlikely that Jay Shah will sign off on a decision that prevents India from touring Pakistan. We might have a 50 percent confirmation that India is coming to Pakistan.”
India-Pakistan Cricket Relations: A Complicated History
India’s last visit to Pakistan was in 2008, when they played in the Asia Cup. Since then, political tensions between the two nations have severely limited bilateral cricketing ties. The Champions Trophy would mark the first major ICC event hosted by Pakistan since the 1996 Cricket World Cup, which was co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka.
In 2023, Pakistan was set to host the Asia Cup, but due to India’s refusal to travel, the tournament was played under a hybrid model. India played its matches at a neutral venue, while the other matches were held in Pakistan. This precedent has led to speculation that a similar model might be used for the Champions Trophy.
Jay Shah’s Role and Future Decisions
Jay Shah’s new role as ICC Chairman puts him in a unique position to influence cricketing decisions that could impact India-Pakistan relations. His tenure will likely see critical decisions about how and where the Champions Trophy will be played, and whether India will agree to tour Pakistan. Given the complexity of the situation, cricket fans on both sides of the border are eagerly awaiting official confirmation.
The possibility of India participating in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan has generated excitement, but also raised questions about the logistical and political challenges that could arise. With the tournament still months away, the cricketing world remains on edge, waiting to see how the situation unfolds.