India likely to skip Pakistan for Champions Trophy, suggests Dubai, Sri Lanka as alternate venues

CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The Indian cricket team is unlikely to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025 matches and the Board of Control for Cricket in India has reportedly suggested Dubai and Sri Lanka as alternative venues.

A BCCI source told ANI that India will not travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy matches to be held between February and March 2025. “India will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. Will tell ICC to hold its matches in Dubai or Sri Lanka,” ANI reported.

In May, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla told the publication that BCCI would send the team to Pakistan if the Centre permits. “In the case of the Champion Trophy, we will do whatever the Government of India will tell us to do. We send our team only when the Government of India permits us. So we will go according to the decision of the Indian government,” Shukla told the publication.

Last year, when Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board hosted Indian matches, including matches against the host team in Sri Lanka. India has not played any matches in Pakistan since 2008’s Asia Cup owing to tense relationships between the countries.