Amit Shah confirms India won't travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directly sent the message to Pakistan that “until there is peace, there will be no talks with Pakistan". This statement has made it clear that the Indian government is not in favor of sending the Indian cricket team across the border for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Recently, Rajeev Shukla, Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), stated that whether Team India will travel to Pakistan or not for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 is entirely in the hands of the Indian government.

No visit to Pakistan for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Amit Shah

It is being said that the BCCI is requesting that India's matches in the 2025 Champions Trophy be held at a neutral venue. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants the Indian team to play all their matches in Pakistan itself. So, the fate of the event is still hanging in the balance.

However, the Home Minister’s latest statement on India’s relationship with Pakistan made the picture clearer about their stance, as he has strongly hinted that they are not in the mood to restore the friendship by sending the Men in Blue for next year’s Champions Trophy 2025.

Addressing BJP workers in Jammu's Palauru on September 7, Amit Shah said: “Dialogue and bombs cannot coexist. Until terrorism is eradicated, we are not in favor of engaging in talks with Pakistan.”

Notably, India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012, primarily due to strained political relations and security concerns. The last bilateral series took place in December 2012, when Pakistan visited India for a limited-overs series.

Since then, political tensions and security issues have denied any possibility of resuming the high-profile encounters between the top teams. Despite the rivalry between India and Pakistan being one of the most intense in the world, they have only faced each other in multi-national tournaments like the ICC events and Asia Cup.

Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan: PCB

However, the Pakistan team visits India for the multi-national tournaments, but India continues to refuse to travel across the border due to the on-border activity and political issues and their stance remains the same for the next mega event.

Meanwhile, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confidently stated that Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy 2025, regardless of the uncertainties surrounding India’s participation in the tournament.

Naqvi, speaking to the media during a visit to the Gaddafi Stadium to review renovation progress, mentioned that he has been in discussions with the BCCI Secretary about the tournament.

The PCB chief is proactively talking to the BCCI officials to address any concerns related to the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, where eight teams—India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan—will take part in the tournament.

Naqvi was quoted as saying by A Sports: “Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan; we are in touch with the BCCI Secretary."