Champions Trophy 2025: India’s tour to Pakistan depends on govt approval
BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla recently addressed the possibility of the Indian cricket team traveling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Pakistan is set to host the prestigious tournament in February next year, but India’s participation remains uncertain as the BCCI awaits government approval.
“No decision has been taken (yet). But our policy is that for international tours, we always seek the permission of the government. It’s up to the government to decide whether our team should go to any country or our team should not go to any country,” Shukla said in an interview with an Indian news channel. He added that the BCCI would follow the government’s decision in this matter.
India last toured Pakistan in 2008, and the two countries have not played a bilateral series since the 2012-13 season.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will feature eight top teams, including India, Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, based on their performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Matches will be held in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore, with India’s matches proposed to take place in Lahore, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The PCB has allocated Rs 12.80 billion for upgrading the three stadiums in preparation for the tournament. Pakistan, the defending champions, won the last edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017, defeating India in the final. The PCB believes there is no strong reason for India not to participate in the event.
