NEWS
Follow UsWill India travel to Pakistan if they reach the knockout stage of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
Well, the straightforward answer to that question is NO.
That's right, India won't be travelling to their neighbouring country even if they qualify for the knockouts of the 50-over tournament, which will be hosted by Pakistan. The Men in Blue will play all their fixtures in Dubai.
The International Cricket Council, on December 24 (Tuesday), announced the full schedule of next year's Champions Trophy. The eight-team tournament will get underway on February 19 in Karachi, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand.
The Men in Blue are placed in Group A alongside New Zealand, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
The three group matches involving India, as well as the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai. Lahore will host the final on March 9 unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai.
India will first play Bangladesh on February 20 before taking on Pakistan on February 23. Their last group match against New Zealand will happen on March 2.
India haven’t travelled to Pakistan since 2008 and it was almost certain from the start they wouldn’t go to the their for the Champions Trophy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) tried their best to host the entire tournament in Pakistan but finally agreed to the hybrid model on certain conditions.
Last week, the ICC announced that from the Champions Trophy 2025 onwards, all the India and Pakistan matches in the Future Tours Program 2024-27 cycle will be played at neutral venues. Meaning, that when the T20 World Cup 2026 takes place in India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan will not play any of their matches in India.
ICC also announced that Pakistan will host the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028. Although it is not part of the 2024-27 cycle, the arrangements of neutral venues will apply to that tournament as well. The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup will be played in India, and Pakistan will play their matches at a neutral venue.
