Indian cricket won’t be heading to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, according to prominent sports journalist Vikrant Gupta. This move, disclosed during Gupta’s recent TV interview, comes amid longstanding tensions between the two neighbors and signals a fresh chapter in their strained cricket relations.
Gupta explained that India’s decision has been relayed to Pakistan informally, with media hints emerging instead of a formal announcement. The intention, he suggested, was to give Pakistan advance notice rather than deliver a sudden blow, reflecting how delicate the situation has become.
“The media has long been the battleground for India-Pakistan cricket tensions,” Gupta remarked. “It was never likely that India would agree to play in Pakistan. The decision has been clear for a while and not entirely within the BCCI’s hands.”
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Pakistan’s Call for Clarity on Security Concerns
On Pakistan’s side, former cricketer Rashid Latif questioned the repeated security concerns India has cited for skipping matches on Pakistani soil. Latif pointed to recent tours from countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and England as proof that Pakistan has managed to host teams securely. If India’s choice is genuinely based on safety, he argued, evidence should be clear.
This is not the first time that the Indian cricket board has taken such a step. Back in 2023, after much debate and discussion, the Indian board accepted Pakistan’s hybrid model for the Asia Cup 2023. Apart from India, every Asian team came to Pakistan for the tournament.
PCB Left Waiting for Official Notice
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is still waiting for a formal word from the BCCI. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, speaking from Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, confirmed that no official notification of India’s decision has arrived.
“If we get an official notice, we’ll approach the government. But as of now, we’re preparing as usual for the Champions Trophy,” Naqvi stated.
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Debate on Neutral Venues and Hybrid Model
The Champions Trophy’s future remains unclear as talk grows about using neutral venues to bridge the gap. The idea of a “hybrid” tournament model, with games split across different locations, is now being considered, though no official steps have been taken. For fans and cricket boards alike, these developments raise questions about how the sport can balance high-stakes competition with the realities of geopolitics.
