India Refuses to Play Champions Trophy Matches in Pakistan

November 8, 2024 — India has decided not to play its matches in Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, according to Indian media reports. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed it will not send the Indian team to Pakistan.

Instead, India wants to play its matches at a neutral location, possibly in the UAE. The BCCI has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and other officials about its decision.

This move follows a similar situation during the 2023 Asia Cup, where India played in Sri Lanka due to security concerns in Pakistan. The Champions Trophy in 2025 may also follow a “hybrid model,” with some matches played in neutral countries.

According to the proposed schedule, the India-Pakistan match was set for March 1, 2025, in Lahore. The tournament is scheduled to begin on February 19, 2025, in Karachi, with the final on March 9, 2025, in Lahore.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) cannot force any country to act against its government’s policy, which is why India’s decision is in line with its current stance.