Champions Trophy 2025: India not to travel to Pakistan, wants its matches shifted to neutral venue

With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaching, the Indian cricket team has once again communicated their refusal to travel to Pakistan and prefers to hold their matches at a neutral venue, TOI reported on Friday.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and other involved parties of their decision, according to the TOI report, with Dubai being a likely location for some matches.

“Indeed, the BCCI has expressed its concerns regarding the Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan. They are in favor of playing these matches at a neutral location, and Dubai is a strong option for hosting the games involving the Men in Blue,” a source tracking the situation shared with TOI.

Dubai emerges as a prime candidate for hosting the tournament, and the governing body has prior experience with hosting various events there, including the recent Women’s T20 World Cup.

“There are no issues regarding Dubai. Accommodation is not problematic, logistics are manageable, and everything can be arranged efficiently. The ICC is well-prepared when it comes to handling events in Dubai,” a source informed TOI.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, however, categorically refused to comment on the report and said that BCCI has not conveyed anything in written.

“We will accept it (their concerns) once we get it in writing,” said Naqvi while speaking to media in Lahore.

About the Event

The ICC Champions Trophy is a prestigious international cricket tournament held every four years, featuring the top eight ranked teams in the world ¹. It’s often referred to as the “Mini World Cup” due to its similarity in format to the Cricket World Cup, but with fewer teams and a shorter duration ¹. The tournament typically lasts around two and a half weeks, with teams competing in a round-robin format followed by knockout stages.

Tournament Format

The Champions Trophy has undergone changes in its format over the years. Initially, it was a knockout tournament, but from 2002 onwards, it has featured a round-robin format with two groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group progress to the semi-finals, followed by the final.

History and Winners

The first Champions Trophy was held in Bangladesh in 1998, with South Africa emerging as the winners. Since then, the tournament has been held in various countries, with Australia and India being the most successful teams, having won the trophy twice each ¹. Other winners include Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and New Zealand.

Upcoming Tournaments

The next ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan in 2025, followed by India in 2029.