India not to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy: reports

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Indian media reported on Friday.

The ninth edition of the Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan in the February- March window in 2025, however, India’s participation in the tournament is uncertain as the BCCI seeks the government’s approval to visit the country.

Reports emerged in Indian media, citing a source from the BCCI, that Team India will not be visiting Pakistan for the Champions Trophy citing security concerns.

The reports also suggest that the BCCI has expressed their desire to move their matches to Dubai.

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“The BCCI has conveyed their concerns regarding Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan. They want to play matches at a neutral venue and Dubai is the strong candidate to host the fixtures involving Team India,” a source told Times of India.

“This has been our [BCCI’s] stance and there is no reason to change that. We have written to them and asked them to shift our games to Dubai,” another source stated.

For the unversed, 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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