Pakistan wants to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at any cost. It is the first mega tournament in the country after the 1996 ODI World Cup. Pakistan was one of the co-hosts, along with India and Sri Lanka, and the final was played in Lahore. After the attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus, international cricket was stopped in the country.
The sport returned to the country after a long break, and now the Asian country is on the cusp of hosting the upcoming edition of the ICC tournament. However, India’s participation is not confirmed as the team hasn’t visited Pakistan since 2008 due to political tensions.
According to Cricbuzz, the Pakistan Cricket Board has written a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, giving them an option of playing the matches in the country and then returning to Delhi and Chandigarh to avoid staying in Pakistan due to safety concerns.
However, another report has emerged, saying that BCCI hasn’t received any proposal from the PCB, and if they do, it will be rejected. Sports journalist Abhishek Tripathi has confirmed this.
“We haven’t received any proposal from the PCB about India playing their matches in Pakistan and then returning to Delhi or Chandigarh. Howeever, if we do, the borad will reject it,” a BCCI source told Abhishek Tripathi.
Pakistan played in India during the 2016 T20 World Cup, and the 2023 ODI World Cup, but the Men in Blue haven’t been to the neighboring country. The Asia Cup 2023 was hosted in a hybrid model, as India said no to playing in Pakistan, and Pakistan and Sri Lanka hosted the matches. The Indian National Cricket Team played their matches in the Island nation, including the final.