The Champions Trophy due 2025 will be held in Pakistan, but the clarity whether India would participate in the tournament is still not there, as BCCI is yet to make its stand clear.
Ambiguity Looms Over India’s Participation In Champions Trophy
Last year, Pakistan co-hosted the Asia Cup under a hybrid model after India refused to travel to the neighboring country, and Indian matches were staged in Sri Lanka, including the final, which India won comprehensively.
Recent reports suggest that India might not feature in the tournament next year. Fuming over this development, former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal said that if Australia could play in Pakistan, India should also be able to do the same.
“When a team like Australia can visit Pakistan, why not India? The India-Pakistan bilateral series should happen. Both governments need to sit and talk. This will benefit cricket,” Akmal told Times of India.
BCCI has constantly mentioned about travel clearance, if India gets that only then they’ll travel to Pakistan. Even the India team skipper Rohit Sharma mentioned that the players are ready to go anywhere and play but as far as Pakistan is concerned the decision will be taken by the Indian government.
Kamran Akmal Urges India To Play The Tournament In Pakistan
The former Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Kamran Akmal clearly stated that the Pakistan government doesn’t stop their players from playing in India, if asked to travel the players will definitely get the permit.
“Pehle aapne Asia Cup le liya, ab Champions Trophy ki baatein kar rahe hain. Kyun kar rahe hain aap aisa? (First you took away the Asia Cup from Pakistan; now talking about the Champions Trophy, why?) … Pakistan has done a lot of hard work to bring cricket back to the country. If India invites Pakistan, our government will never stop us. They will say, ‘Go and play.’ The Indian government should do the same. Let’s keep politics aside and play cricket,” he added.
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He went on to plead that India should travel to Pakistan as it will provide a massive boost in cricket for the country.
Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule
This ICC event with 50-over format, returns after an eight-year hiatus with the top eight teams from last year’s ODI World Cup participating in it. The top eight teams will be divided into two groups of four each, with only the top two teams in each group entering the semi-finals.
Champions Trophy 2025 Groups
Group A: India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh
Group B: England, South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| February 19 | New Zealand vs Pakistan | Karachi |
| February 20 | Bangladesh vs India | Lahore |
| February 21 | Afghanistan vs South Africa | Karachi |
| February 22 | Australia vs England | Lahore |
| February 23 | New Zealand vs India | Lahore |
| February 24 | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Rawalpindi |
| February 25 | Afghanistan vs England | Lahore |
| February 26 | Australia vs South Africa | Rawalpindi |
| February 27 | Bangladesh vs New Zealand | Lahore |
| February 28 | Afghanistan vs Australia | Rawalpindi |
| March 1 | Pakistan vs India | Lahore |
| March 2 | South Africa vs England | Rawalpindi |
| March 5 | 1st Semi-final – TBC vs TBC | Karachi |
| March 6 | 2nd Semi-final – TBC vs TBC | Rawalpindi |
| March 9 | Champions Trophy 2025 Final | Lahore |
