India has decided not to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Sunday. The decision comes amid ongoing political tensions, which have kept the two countries from playing a bilateral series for over a decade. India last visited Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2008.
The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed receiving an email from the International Cricket Council (ICC) stating that India’s board had informed them of the decision. PCB spokesman Sami Ul Hasan shared the news, saying the email would now be sent to Pakistan’s government for their guidance.
The Champions Trophy, set to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, will feature eight teams, with matches scheduled across Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. However, the final schedule is uncertain as India has not yet confirmed whether it will participate.
Previously, PCB chairman Moshin Naqvi dismissed the idea of a hybrid model, which would have allowed India to play its matches in neutral venues, such as the United Arab Emirates. Naqvi expressed frustration over India’s position, stating, “Pakistan has made gestures to India before, but we cannot continue to be so friendly every time.”
Naqvi added that Pakistan’s government would decide whether Pakistan would travel to India for future events if India does not come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
The ICC had planned to announce the Champions Trophy schedule this week, but this latest development is likely to delay that release. The Champions Trophy is the premier ODI event after the World Cup and will feature Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa.
As the 100-day countdown to the tournament begins, the ongoing rivalry between the nuclear-armed neighbors remains a point of contention, often reflected in the cricketing world. Matches between India and Pakistan are some of the most-watched events globally.
Pakistan visited India for last year’s ODI World Cup, and the PCB had hoped that this gesture would be reciprocated for the Champions Trophy. However, Pakistan was forced to host last year’s Asia Cup using a hybrid format, with India playing its matches in Sri Lanka, including the final.
Since their last bilateral series in 2012-13, India and Pakistan have only met in ICC multi-nation events.
