The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made it clear to Pakistan that the Champions Trophy is not possible without India.
Pakistan will host the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. BCCI has told ICC that the Indian cricket team won’t travel to Pakistan for the event. After this, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to accept a hybrid model for the tournament. They also said that Pakistan would withdraw from the tournament if it moved away from Pakistan.
Amidst all this, many former Pakistani cricketers and the PCB have criticised India for their stance. India last travelled to Pakistan back in 2008 to play the Asia Cup. Since then they’ve not travelled to Pakistan. Both sides have not played any bilateral series for 12 years now.
ICC asks Pakistan to not make any statements against India regarding Champions Trophy
The Champions Trophy was last played back in 2017 in England. Interestingly, Pakistan defeated India in the final of the tournament. Pakistan is hosting any ICC event after 28 years. They last hosted the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
According to ANI, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is in constant talks with the PCB about this issue. They want the Pakistan board to understand the situation that the tournament is not possible without India’s participation.
They also want PCB to accept the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy. All the other teams will play their games in Pakistan with India playing their matches at a different venue. ICC thinks this is the best possible solution. The ICC officials have also asked Pakistan to not make any statements against India.
The tournament is expected to start from 19th February 2025 with the final on 9th March 2025. PCB made arrangements for the India matches to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The biggest event in the cricketing world; India vs Pakistan is scheduled for 1st March 2025.
