The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has recently proposed Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi as the venues for the 2025 Champions Trophy, marking the return of a major ICC event to the country after nearly three decades.

Pakistan’s Stint as Defending Champions

Pakistan is the defending champions of the Champions Trophy, having clinched the title in 2017. However, the tournament’s revival in the new rights cycle (2023-27) saw Pakistan awarded the hosting rights for the 2025 edition by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

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Format and Schedule

The proposed tournament is expected to feature eight teams and span over two weeks, although the exact dates are yet to be finalized. The PCB has meticulously finalized the venues and schedule in coordination with the ICC, following assessments conducted by the ICC’s security team.

“We’ve sent the schedule for the matches in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy. The ICC’s security team came and we had a very good meeting. They looked at arrangements here and we’ll also share stadium upgrade plans with them. We’re continuously in touch with the ICC. We are trying to ensure we host a very good tournament in Pakistan,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said at a press conference in Lahore.

Security Measures and Preparations

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi affirmed the board’s commitment to ensuring a safe and successful tournament in Pakistan. He highlighted the constructive collaboration with the ICC’s security team and emphasized the ongoing efforts to upgrade stadium facilities for the event.

Challenges and Political Considerations

Despite the preparations underway, the fate of India’s participation remains to be determined, largely dependent on the political climate between the two neighboring countries. The historic tensions have significantly impacted bilateral cricketing relations, with India refraining from touring Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.

Last year, the PCB had to adopt a hybrid model while hosting the Asia Cup, whereby some games were played in Pakistan but all of India’s games and the final were held in Sri Lanka. A month later Pakistan travelled to India to play in the 50-over World Cup but the decision for either country to play in the other is always a politically guided one.