Team India not to travel Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025, will play matches at a neutral venue

As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, reports indicate that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for their scheduled matches. Instead, they are expected to play their fixtures at a neutral venue, with Dubai emerging as the most likely location, according to a report by The Times of India on Friday.

BCCI denies sending Team India to Pakistan

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally communicated its decision to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and other key stakeholders, emphasizing their concerns over hosting Indian matches in Pakistan. “Yes, the BCCI has conveyed their concerns regarding Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan. They want to play matches at a neutral venue, and Dubai is the strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue,” a source close to the development was quoted as saying to TOI.

Dubai frontrunner to host Team India matches 

Dubai has previously hosted numerous international tournaments and is considered a practical option for the Champions Trophy. The city’s well-established infrastructure, logistics, and hospitality facilities make it an attractive alternative. “There are no issues in Dubai. Hotels are not a problem, logistics are not a problem; everything can be handled smoothly. And ICC does have things in control when it comes to Dubai,” the source added. The UAE’s past experience hosting high-profile cricket events, including the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, further supports Dubai’s candidacy.

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Initially, the International Cricket Council (ICC) had drafted a tentative schedule placing India’s matches in Lahore. However, the BCCI’s request will likely prompt adjustments to the tournament’s schedule before it is finalized. The ICC has therefore postponed the official release of the Champions Trophy schedule, initially expected to be announced on Monday (November 4).

ICC faces schedule adjustments amid diplomatic challenges

The upcoming Champions Trophy is set to commence on February 19, 2025, and culminate with the final on March 9. With the tournament’s timeline in place, the ICC is now focused on adjusting the schedule to accommodate the BCCI’s request, ensuring that Indian matches can be seamlessly hosted at a neutral location.

This development adds to the evolving cricket relations between India and Pakistan, as political tensions have consistently influenced the two nations’ engagements in international cricket. Hosting India’s matches in Dubai could ensure that the tournament proceeds without diplomatic issues impacting the teams or fans.

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