The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has dismissed reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had proposed facilitating India’s travel back to Chandigarh or Delhi after each match in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament is set to take place in Pakistan across three venues—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
According to a Cricbuzz report, the PCB allegedly offered to assist India in returning to India after every game due to concerns over India’s willingness to stay in Pakistan throughout the tournament. However, a report from Dainik Jagran quoted a BCCI official refuting these claims, stating that no such proposal had been received from the PCB. The official further clarified that even if such an offer were made, the BCCI would reject it.
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The BCCI reiterated its stance that India’s participation in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan depends on the Government of India‘s decision. Currently, India is scheduled to play all its matches in Lahore, with one additional game in Rawalpindi, on February 20, 23, and March 2, 2025.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding India’s travel to Pakistan, no formal decision has been made, and the possibility of implementing a hybrid model, as used in previous tournaments, remains.
India last toured Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup, but political tensions have since prevented bilateral cricket ties, with both teams only meeting during ICC events. Meanwhile, the PCB remains committed to hosting the tournament as scheduled and is continuing preparations.
Although India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently visited Pakistan for the 2024 SCO summit, no discussions regarding cricket or India’s participation in the Champions Trophy were reported during the visit.
