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There have been conflicting reports regarding Team India’s participation in the Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. Despite earlier statements indicating that the decision for India to travel to Pakistan would be contingent on the Indian government’s approval, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remains optimistic about India’s participation.

PCB Adamant Team India Have to Play ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan; No Chance for Hybrid Model

PCB, led by Mohsin Naqvi, is moving forward with its preparations for the tournament, anticipating that India will indeed make the trip. Contrary to speculation about a potential hybrid model, wherein another country would host India’s matches, similar to the arrangement during the Asia Cup 2023, the PCB has rejected this approach. The board is not engaging with any other cricket boards to explore such alternatives, firmly focusing on hosting all matches within Pakistan.

Specifically, the PCB plans for India to play all their matches in Lahore. To support this, extensive renovations are underway at the stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, with completion expected by December.

India, Pakistan Not Played Bilateral Series Since 2012

For the unaware, the Indian cricket team and the Pakistan cricket team have not played any Bilateral series since the last time in 2012, when Pakistan visited India for 2 T20Is and 3 ODI matches. While the T20I series was tied 1-1, Pakistan won the 3-match ODI series 2-1.

Champions Trophy 2025 Explained

Meanwhile, the ICC Champions Trophy is ICC’s one of the big tournaments in the 50-over format. The World Cup is played between all the big teams with associate nations who qualify through the qualifiers. However, the ICC Champions Trophy follow a different rule. The top-ranked nations in the ICC ODI Rankings play in the Champions Trophy, including the host nation. Pakistan qualified for the tournament as the host nation.

However, for the 2025 edition, it was announced that the top 8 nations in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 will qualify for the tournament, thus the other 7 teams who will join Pakistan are, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa while Afghanistan will play their first edition in the ICC Champions Trophy.

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