According to reports, Pakistan may lose the opportunity to host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, slated for February and March 2025. This would mark the first time Pakistan hosts the tournament since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. The potential setback is attributed to strained bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.

Abhishek Tripathi of Dainik Jagran indicates that Team India is unlikely to participate in the Champions Trophy due to the longstanding lack of bilateral series between the two countries since the 2012/13 season. The absence of bilateral engagements has been replaced by encounters in Asia Cups and ICC events.

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Drawing parallels with the Asia Cup 2023, Tripathi suggests that the Champions Trophy might follow a similar fate. The BCCI had declined to send Team India to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, resulting in a hybrid model for the tournament, with matches split between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Champions Trophy could potentially adopt a similar approach or relocate to a different venue, with the United Arab Emirates being a favorable option.

“Champions Trophy will not be held in Pakistan. Champions Trophy can be held in UAE or in a hybrid model like the Asia Cup. Unless there is a radical change in the policy of the Indian Government, it will be impossible for the Indian team to play in Pakistan,” notes the journalist on X.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the host nation, eight teams are expected to participate in the upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy, with Pakistan securing automatic qualification as hosts. The remaining seven teams will be the highest-ranked from the ICC World Cup 2023 league stage.