ICC Surprised At Pakistan's Confidence On Hosting Champions Trophy; Unconvinced India Will Travel: Report

ICC were suprised at Pakistan's confidence on hosting the 2025 CT Photo : AP

KEY HIGHLIGHTS ICC are suprised at Pakistan's confidence on hosting the 2025 Champions Trophy

India have not travelled to Pakistan since 2008

The 2023 Asia Cup was held in a hybrid model

With the 2025 Champions Trophy only seven months ahead, the status of the tournament remains in limbo as the Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI ) is yet to confirm that the Indian cricket team will travel to Pakistan for the mega event scheduled to take place in the South Asian nation in February.

India's participation has always been in doubt due to the strained political relations with Pakistan. The T20 World Cup 2024 Champions have not traveled to the neighboring nations since the 2008 Mumbai Terror attacks. The Men in Blue's last visit to Pakistan was in 2008 for the Asia Cup, while the last bilateral series on Pakistani soil was in 2006.

Last year, the 2023 Asia Cup was moved to a hybrid model after India refused to travel to Pakistan with Sri Lanka co-hosting the tournament. All India matches, including the two India-Pakistan matches and the final, took place in the island nation, with similar expected for the Champions Trophy.

With the clock ticking, a report by Pakistani media outlet CricketPakistan.com has revealed that the ICC is surprised at Pakistan's confidence in hosting the event. The world cricket governing body remains unconvinced that the Indian government will allow the Rohit Sharma-led outfit to travel to Pakistan.

The report states the lack of movement on any alternate plans from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a situation where India does not make the trip and no discussion with the UAE or Sri Lanka has come as a suprise to the ICC. There remains concern that lack of preparation by Pakistan could cause serious challenges at the last minute.

On the other hand, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has assered that the ICC will ensure India plays the tournament in Pakistan. The Mohsin Naqvi-led board maintains that the entire event will take place in Pakistan and has questioned India's refusal to travel when other teams are willing too.

The ICC's tournament budget for the competition includes a supplementary expense as a contigency plan if India have to play their matches outside Pakistan.

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