A high-ranking official from the Indian cricket board affirmed this week that their participation in the Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan next year hinges on approval from their central government.
Pakistan is slated to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tournament, with proposed venues in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. However, uncertainty surrounds the Indian team’s attendance, given historical tensions.
The last instance of an Indian cricket team visiting Pakistan for an event dates back to the 2008 Asia Cup, following which political tensions, exacerbated by the Mumbai attacks, led to a hiatus in bilateral sporting engagements.
Consequently, matches between India and Pakistan have been restricted to international tournaments and neutral venues.
During the Asia Cup last year, Pakistan acquiesced to a hybrid model, where India played all matches, including those against Pakistan, in Sri Lanka. Similarly, Pakistan suggested a similar arrangement for the ODI World Cup in India, but ultimately played all matches in the neighboring country.
