ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India's participation blocked by International board; replacement asked

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is unlikely to send its team to neighboring country Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Following this news, Iceland Cricket has blocked India’s participation in the Champions Trophy 2025 and asked for a replacement in the tournament.

Pakistan is the host of the upcoming event after being awarded by the ICC. As per the tentative schedule, all of India’s matches are set to take place in Lahore for logistical and security reasons. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has invested millions in upgrading the stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 To Commence On February 19 - Report

The Champions Trophy is scheduled to return to the ICC calendar for the first time since 2017. However, with only a few months remaining until the event, it is reported that the India national cricket team may not travel to Pakistan for the Mini World Cup due to strained relations between the two nations.

The upcoming ICC 50-over tournament is scheduled to start on February 19, with three venues in Pakistan. According to the latest report from ESPN Cricinfo, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has informed the ICC that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan, following advice from the Indian government.

Which Team Should Replace India In Champions Trophy - Iceland Cricket

Following reports from ESPN Cricinfo, Iceland Cricket sarcastically asked for a replacement team for India to play in the upcoming tournament. "Which team should replace India in the 2025 Champions Trophy?" Iceland Cricket tweeted.

Which team should replace India in the 2025 Champions Trophy?

— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) November 10, 2024

India last visited Pakistan for the 2008 Asia Cup, where they lost to Sri Lanka in the final. Their last bilateral series in Pakistan was in 2005/06 when they lost the Test series 0-1 but won the ODI series 4-1. The schedule for the Champions Trophy is likely to be revealed by the PCB and the ICC early next week.

Pakistan Will Take A Big Step - Rashid Latif

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has said that Pakistan should not participate in the tournament if India refuses to play in Pakistan. Speaking on Geo News, he pointed out that India might avoid bilateral matches but cannot skip ICC events they’ve already signed up for.

"We can say that India does not want to play bilateral matches, but you can’t deny the ICC events as you already have signed it. India has to make solid ground. If India doesn’t come, Pakistan will take a big step by not participating in the tournament," Latif was quoted by News18 as saying.

"ICC exists only because there is Pakistan and India. If the government of Pakistan also says that we won’t play, then the ICC will be of no use as no one will watch the match," he added.

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