The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is pressing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for a definitive “yes or no” response regarding India’s participation in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to take place in Pakistan. The PCB is seeking clarity from the BCCI as the latter has yet to secure approval from the Indian government for the tour, creating uncertainty around India’s involvement in the event.
Despite the complexities surrounding India’s government clearance process, PCB officials, including Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer and Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, have held extensive talks with ICC representatives in Dubai to finalize the tournament schedule. The ICC Champions Trophy, slated to begin on February 19, 2025, will be Pakistan’s first time hosting an ICC event in over a decade.
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India’s participation remains in question, and the PCB has requested the BCCI provide a clear, written response. While the Indian government has traditionally been slow in giving official confirmation for such tours, the PCB insists on having a formal commitment from the BCCI. Should India decide not to participate, the ICC is preparing a contingency plan, including a revised budget for the event, though details of this plan remain undisclosed.
The tournament’s preliminary schedule includes Pakistan’s opening match against New Zealand in Karachi, followed by a proposed India vs. Bangladesh game in Lahore on February 20. A high-profile match between Pakistan and India is scheduled for March 1, 2025, in Lahore.
Venue preparations are progressing, with development work underway in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The PCB has allocated 13 billion rupees for venue upgrades, and an ICC delegation is expected to inspect the facilities soon, with completion of the venues anticipated by December 30, 2024.
