Thu Nov 14 11:20:15 UTC 2024: ## Champions Trophy 2025 in Jeopardy as India Refuses to Travel to Pakistan

The 2025 Champions Trophy is facing a major crisis after India confirmed its refusal to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, leading to uncertainty over the event’s future.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has maintained its stance against a hybrid model for hosting, similar to last year’s Asia Cup, where India’s matches were held in Sri Lanka. The PCB insists that security in Pakistan is not an issue, citing the successful hosting of England and New Zealand recently, and has requested a written confirmation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding their decision.

The ICC, the sport’s governing body, is facing criticism for its lack of proactivity in addressing this issue. Despite being aware of India’s long-standing reluctance to travel to Pakistan due to diplomatic issues, no formal concerns were raised during the past 12 ICC Board meetings since the tournament schedule was shared.

The PCB has also ruled out hosting the Champions Trophy outside Pakistan, including in the UAE. Consequently, the planned launch event in Lahore has been postponed.

The ICC is currently discussing the schedule with participating teams and is yet to respond to the PCB’s request. The situation highlights the growing tension between the BCCI and PCB, and the potential impact it could have on the future of international cricket.

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