India unlikely to travel to Pakistan, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Hybrid model - Reports

India didn’t travel to Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2023.

The Indian cricket team might not travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in February–March, instead, a hybrid model will be planned for the event, according to reports. Pakistan has the hosting rights for the tournament.

A few days ago, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) submitted the first draft schedule of the Champions Trophy 2025 to the International Cricket Council (ICC). The tournament will feature Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa.

The draft schedule stated that the eight-nation tournament will kickoff on February 19, 2025, with the final scheduled for March 9. The high-voltage India Vs. Pakistan match will be played on March 1 in Lahore as per the first draft submitted by the PCB.

However, there is no official confirmation from the BCCI as far as travel is concerned at the moment, nor has the ICC  made any statement regarding the Indian side’s travel.

A hybrid model is being worked out for the Champions Trophy 2025

India have not played any bilateral cricket with Pakistan since the 2012–13 season. The Men in Blue haven’t traveled to Pakistan since 2008. However, both sides face each other at ICC tournaments. Recently, they played at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, where India won the match in New York.

Interestingly, Pakistan had the hosting rights of the Asia Cup 2023, but a hybrid model was forced as India refused to travel to the neighbouring country. The Men in Blue’s matches were played in Sri Lanka, including the grand finale.

After the PCB submitted the first draft for the Champions Trophy 2025 schedule to the ICC, a new report by India Today stated that a couple of matches might be held in the UAE or Sri Lanka.

“It is highly unlikely that the team will travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, but a final will be taken by the government. So, in that case, a hybrid model is being worked out. India may play their matches in UAE or Sri Lanka just like the Asia Cup. Although the ICC will also have their stand on it, as of now this is what we are thinking of. Let’s see how things go in the future. As of now, it looks like it will be played in a hybrid model,” the source said.

The new development comes days after PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told the ICC that all possible efforts will be made to host the entire Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Recently, the PCB also allocated around 17 billion rupees for upgrading the Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore stadiums, which will host the upcoming ICC tournament in 2025.

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