India’s potential visit to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is under hypothesizing. Rajeev Shukla, BCCI vice-president, stated that Jay Shah, BCCI secretary and newly appointed ICC chairman, will take the final decision. India has not toured Pakistan in nearly two decades due to political tensions.
The fatigued relations between India and Pakistan have long affected their cricket ties. Since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, bilateral series between the two nations ceased. The teams now only meet in ICC or ACC tournaments, keeping their cricket rivalry alive.
India’s last tour of Pakistan was in 2005-06, with games spanning across both Test and ODI formats. Despite the gap, Pakistan has visited India for limited international events, most recently for the ICC tournaments.
India and Pakistan’s Recent Cricket Encounters
The rivalry between India and Pakistan remains one of the most intense in cricket. Since two-sided ties ended, encounters are limited to tournaments hosted by ICC and ACC. These matches draw massive attention from fans globally.
India last played in Pakistan during the 2008 Asia Cup. Since then, Pakistan visited India for the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup and the ongoing 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. The Men in Blue haven’t been to Pakistan since.
In 2012-13, Pakistan last played a bilateral series in India. Their international cricket visits to India have only been for global events since then. The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 raises questions about India’s participation in Pakistan.
BCCI’s Hybrid Model and Government Clearance
Rajeev Shukla mentioned that BCCI implemented a hybrid model for last year’s Asia Cup. India’s matches were shifted to Sri Lanka while Pakistan hosted the remaining games. This model shows how India’s involvement in Pakistan-hosted events remains complex.
Shukla emphasized that the Indian government holds the final say. If government approval is not granted, Team India won’t travel to Pakistan. The decision is largely influenced by safety concerns for players and other geopolitical factors.
The BCCI has yet to discuss India’s participation in ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Government clearance is essential before making any concrete decisions regarding Team India’s travel to Pakistan for this event.
Jay Shah’s Role as ICC Chairman
Jay Shah’s new position as ICC chairman adds another layer to this situation. Rajeev Shukla expressed optimism, highlighting Shah’s independent role in the ICC. As chairman, Shah will make an unbiased decision on whether India will participate in the Champions Trophy.
Shah’s dual role as BCCI secretary and ICC chairman allows him to navigate these discussions diplomatically. Despite this, Shukla reiterated that the Indian government’s clearance is a non-negotiable factor.
Shah’s leadership will be crucial in determining India’s approach toward Pakistan-hosted cricket events. His decision, however, will still align with the government’s stance on player safety and geopolitical concerns.
Champions Trophy 2025: What Lies Ahead?
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is slated for February 19 to March 9. Pakistan will host the tournament in major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. Speculation surrounds whether India will participate, with draft schedules indicating India’s matches could be held in Lahore.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already sent a draft schedule to the ICC. Yet, BCCI has not confirmed India’s participation. The decision remains pending based on government clearance and safety assessments.
Should India decide to participate, this would mark their first visit to Pakistan since 2008. The Champions Trophy could be a major milestone in the history of India-Pakistan cricket, pending approval.
