Fri Nov 08 23:05:08 UTC 2024: ## India Refuses to Travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy, Citing Security Concerns

**Lahore, Pakistan -** The Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed. The decision, citing security concerns, was communicated to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“We have written to them and asked them to shift our games to Dubai,” a BCCI official told the Indian Express, requesting anonymity. This follows a pattern of India refusing to play in Pakistan, as seen during the recent Asia Cup held in a hybrid model.

The PCB had proposed a schedule with all of India’s matches scheduled in Lahore, including the marquee clash against Pakistan on March 1. They had also suggested the Indian team return to India after each game to address security concerns, but the BCCI has rejected this option.

While the ICC is unlikely to interfere in India’s decision, the PCB is urging the governing body to announce the tournament schedule by next week. This comes as top ICC officials are due to visit Lahore again next week for further discussions.

The Champions Trophy is set to begin on February 19, 2025, with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi. The final is scheduled for March 9 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The tournament’s future now hangs in the balance as the PCB attempts to convince the BCCI to reconsider their stance.

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