India doubtful about coming to Pakistan for Champions Trophy

India is highly unlikely to travel to Pakistan to participate in the Champions Trophy and suggests working on a hybrid model, playing their matches in UAE or Sri Lanka. 

India initially agreed to send their cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy on the condition that all their matches would be played in just one city in Pakistan, most likely in Lahore.

Pakistan has hosting rights for the Champions Trophy, which will feature ODI matches with 8 teams including India. Preparations for this highly anticipated tournament are in full swing in Pakistan and the Pakistani government has allocated a special budget for this prestigious cricket event.

Pakistan Cricket Board submitted a draft schedule to the International Cricket Council last month. In the draft schedule, India’s matches were scheduled in Lahore, including the big-ticket game between the arch-rivals on March 1. However, there is no official confirmation from the BCCI as far as travel is concerned at the moment.

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“It is highly unlikely that the team will travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy but a final will be taken by the government. So, in that case, a hybrid model is being worked out. India may play their matches in UAE or Sri Lanka just like the Asia Cup.

Although the ICC will also have their stand on it, as of now this is what we are thinking of. Let’s see how things go in the future. As of now, it looks like it will be played in a hybrid model,” the source said.

The development follows PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi’s announcement to the board of governors that efforts will be made to host the entire Champions Trophy in Pakistan, with the issue to be discussed at an ICC Board Meeting in Colombo later in July.

In 2022, Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup in a hybrid model after India refused to travel there, with India’s matches held in Sri Lanka. Pakistan, however, traveled to India for the ODI World Cup. Recently, ICC head of events Chris Tetley met with PCB chairman Naqvi in Islamabad following the inspection of venues by the ICC’s security team.

The PCB has allocated approximately 17 billion rupees to upgrade stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi for the tournament, which will feature eight teams.

Pakistan, the 2017 Champions Trophy winners, are eager to make an impact after disappointing performances in the 2023 and 2024 ODI and T20 World Cups.