BCCI VP clears air on possibility of India’s tour to Pakistan for Champions Trophy

Rajeev Shukla, the vice-president of the Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI) has broken his silence over the possibility of India’s cricket team touring Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The eight-team event is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February to March, however, India’s participation in the tournament is uncertain as the BCCI seeks the government’s approval to visit the country.

Remember, reports emerged in Indian media, citing a source from the BCCI, that the Indian team will not be visiting Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

However, the Chief Executive of the ICC Geoff Allardice confirmed last month that the Champions Trophy 2025 will be played in Pakistan, as scheduled, dismissing any speculation about the event being relocated to a different country.

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Rajeev Shukla, in a conversation with an Indian news channel, mentioned that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is currently awaiting the government’s approval. As of now, no decision has been made regarding the tour of Pakistan.

“No decision has been taken (yet). However, our policy is that for international tours, we always seek permission from the government,” Shukla clarified.

“It’s up to the government to decide whether our team should go to any country or our team should not go to any country,” the BCCI VP added. “In this case (also), whatever the government will decide, we will abide by that.”

It is worth noting that India has not travelled to Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008 due to the long-standing political tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

In contrast, Pakistan has made four trips to India in the last 16 years. Their most recent visit was last year for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.

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