In a twist of fate for cricket enthusiasts, Pakistan’s prospects of hosting the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy are under a looming shadow. The anticipation surrounding this global cricketing event, slated for February and March 2025, is clouded by the complexities of international relations, particularly between arch-rivals India and Pakistan.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy marks a significant moment for Pakistan, as it is poised to be the first global cricket tournament hosted by the country since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. The cricketing fraternity eagerly anticipated the return of a major tournament to Pakistani soil after England hosted the Champions Trophy in 2017.
The ominous cloud over Pakistan’s hosting dreams primarily stems from the strained bilateral relations between India and Pakistan. Abhishek Tripathi of Dainik Jagran reports that Team India is unlikely to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy due to the persisting geopolitical tensions.
The concerns echo the fate of the Asia Cup 2023, which was scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declined to send Team India to Pakistan, prompting a shift in the tournament’s format. The Asia Cup adopted a hybrid model, with matches divided between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The journalist suggests that a similar fate might befall the Champions Trophy, with the possibility of adopting a hybrid model or even shifting the entire tournament to a different venue, preferably the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The uncertainty lingers unless there is a substantial shift in the Indian government’s policy regarding bilateral cricketing engagements with Pakistan.
पाकिस्तान में नहीं होगी चैंपियंस ट्राफी। यूएई में या एशिया कप की तरह हाइब्रिड माडल में हो सकती है चैंपियंस ट्राफी। अगर भारत सरकार की नीति में आमूलचूल परिवर्तन नहीं हुआ तब तक भारतीय टीम का पाकिस्तान में खेलने जाना असंभव।
— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) November 27, 2023
Amidst the geopolitical intricacies, the cricketing preparations continue for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. A total of eight teams, including Pakistan as hosts and the top seven from the ICC World Cup 2023 league stage, are set to participate. The cricketing fraternity eagerly awaits a resolution to the hosting dilemma.
