Indian team have declined to tour Pakistan to compete in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The nation is in a fix as it cannot host the entire event in the country. A report by the Press Trust of India (PTI) said that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is willing to host the tournament in a hybrid model, with India playing its matches in Dubai.
If India manages to reach the later stage of the tournament, the final will also be played in the UAE. Even if a hybrid model is rolled out, the Pakistan Cricket Board will remain the host. However, the apex body of Pakistan cricket is willing to conduct the tournament in Pakistan and is not in favor of the Hybrid model or giving the host rights to any other country for the upcoming tournament.
The report of PTI has also claimed that the ICC could take Champions Trophy to South Africa, if the Pakistanis did not opt for the Hybrid Model. The PCB is consulting with the government of Pakistan before unveiling its next strategy. However, other than taking legal action against BCCI, the PCB could also refrain the team from playing against India in any of the ICC tournaments.
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The Men in Blue haven’t been to the country for a bilateral series; their last visit came during the 2008 Asia Cup. India also refused to play the 2023 Asia Cup and their matches were shifted to Sri Lanka even though Pakistan was the host. It is milestone occasion for Pakistan to be host of an ICC event after 21 years since the 1996 ODI Cricket world cup.
Due to confusion regarding the host of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 the ICC on Thursday axed a major event in Lahore to unveil the schedule for the event. The program of an ICC event is typically released 100 days prior to the event. The schedule regarding ICC Champions Trophy however has not been released yet.