BCCI source indicates ICC Champions Trophy 2025 could be played in hybrid model
The BCCI source says given the political scenario between the two nations, India might not travel to Pakistan to play in the ICC event
A source in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said India might not be touring Pakistan to play the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The comments from the source in the BCCI comes after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s comments on resuming bilateral series between the two countries if the Indian cricket team travels to Pakistan to play the Champions Trophy.
The source in the BCCI said the Champions Trophy could be played in a hybrid model, just like how the 2023 Asia Cup was played, if India refuses to travel. “Forget a bilateral series, team India may not even travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. There might be a change of venue, a hybrid model is also possible,” BCCI sources told news agency IANS.
The source added that given the political scenario between the two countries, India travelling to Pakistan is not possible in the near future. “The Indian board would need permission from the government for travel, currently, our relations with Pakistan are not that good either. The Champions Trophy is an ICC event, so it would be a tough call for India, but nothing without the government’s order or a green signal. Bilateral series, I don’t see in the near future, that’s next to impossible,” the source added.
Earlier, Indian sports minister Anurag Thakur said that the question of the Indian team touring Pakistan for the Champions Trophy will not arise until the neighbouring country stops itself from anti-national activities.
“It is up to the BCCI to decide. When I was the BCCI president, I had said that two things cannot happen at a single time. When you spread terrorism in India and talk about playing cricket in Pakistan, these two things can’t happen simultaneously. First stop carrying out terror activities in India,” Thakur said during a public debate, hosted by News24, earlier this month.
Sources in the ICC have also said in the past that alternate venues in the UAE could be used to conduct the Champions Trophy on a hybrid model, if India doesn’t tour Pakistan.
The Champions Trophy will be held in February-March 2025.
