Champions Trophy 2025: The ECB top brass has taken a call that will ensure no change in the participating teams for next year’s Champions Trophy, although India may not travel to Pakistan. The tournament is to be held in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, though India hasn’t played an international match in Pakistan since 2008.
No Option For The Champions Trophy Without India
ECB chief executive and chair Richard Gould along with chair Richard Thompson said on Wednesday that several options and backup plans were in the pipeline in case India decides not to visit Pakistan. However, they ruled out the possibility of holding the Champions Trophy without the participation of India.
The BCCI did not attend the Asia Cup in Pakistan last year on account of souring diplomatic relations, and it had adopted a hybrid model wherein India’s matches were attended in Sri Lanka. Pakistan, however, attended the 2023 World Cup in full measure in India and missed it narrowly for a seat in the semi-finals.
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Pakistan’s Commitment To Hosting
The last time Pakistan hosted a major ICC event was in 1996 when they co-hosted the men’s 50-over World Cup. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants to provide a “world-class” event, so this decision will depend on Indian government approval regarding India’s travel.
It would not be in cricket’s interests for India not to be playing in the Champions Trophy,” Thompson emphasized. He also observed that Jay Shah, the former BCCI secretary and now chair of the ICC, might play a role in this regard. “There are geopolitics, and then there’s cricketing geopolitics. I think they’ll find a way.”
Security Concerns And Broadcast Rights
Both Gould and Thompson are currently in Pakistan for the next ICC meetings scheduled to be held in Dubai, during which they have also been meeting PCB officials. “Cricket has tied itself up through broadcasting rights so badly that India and Pakistan must play. If you play the Champions Trophy without India or Pakistan, the broadcast rights aren’t there, and we need to protect them,” Gould said.
Pakistan is the host country, and we all are waiting to know whether India is coming here or not. That’s the key, Gould added. This is probably the biggest moment for Pakistan as it has waited for ages to host an ICC trophy.
India’s Participation Is Likely To Be Confirmed Soon
According to Thompson, this would come “down to the wire” on details involving India’s participation. He expressed optimism saying, “I believe they will find a way to allow India to participate in the Champions Trophy.”
The PCB remains resolute in their view, with a board official telling ESPNcricinfo that they would love to see the full tournament played in Pakistan. However, there has been no announcement of fixtures and yet, the PCB has presented a draft schedule to the ICC and suggested the tournament be held from February 19 to March 9 with India playing all matches in Lahore.
Competing Teams
The Champions Trophy will be played among the eight teams which will be divided into two groups containing four teams in each group. This is then followed by semi-finals and a final. Participating teams include Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa.
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