ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mohsin Naqvi issues an official statement on India's visit after Karachi Blast

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi is optimistic about the Indian men’s cricket team traveling to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Mohsin Naqvi made his comments despite no confirmation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on traveling to Pakistan.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi are likely to host the matches in the ICC tournament. The PCB has submitted a draft schedule to the International Cricket Council with the venues and dates for the tournament.

The ICC has allotted funds to the Pakistan Cricket Board for the upcoming tournament and has also allocated extra funds if a hybrid model is required due to the uncertainty surrounding India's participation. The BCCI needs to receive the green light from the Indian government to travel to Pakistan.

Team India Will Come To Play The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 - Mohsin Naqvi

Speaking to local media in Lahore on Sunday, Mohsin Naqvi said that India will travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. Mohsin Naqvi said that there are no reasons for India to postpone or cancel their visit. He added that all teams, including India, are expected to visit Pakistan.

"Indian team mujhe puri umeed hai… Abhi tak koi aisi cheej nahi hai jiski wajeh se vo postpone karey ya cancel karey. Toh sari teams aayengi (Team India will come to play the Champions Trophy, all the teams will come)," Mohsin Naqvi said.

Team India Last Visited Pakistan For Asia Cup In 2008

Since 2008, the Indian cricket team has not visited Pakistan due to ongoing political tensions between the two countries. As per reports, the BCCI is unlikely to send the team to Pakistan for the tournament. The BCCI has stated that the final decision regarding travel will rest with the Indian government.

Pakistan has not hosted any major ICC tournaments since the 1996 ODI World Cup. Pakistan was set to co-host the 2011 ODI World Cup but lost the opportunity after the Sri Lanka cricket team was attacked by terrorists in 2009. India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh hosted the ODI World Cup in 2011.

Asia Cup 2023 Was Played In Hybrid Model After BCCI's Refusal

The Asia Cup 2023 was held in a hybrid model after the BCCI refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan, which was the official host. India played all their matches, including the final, in Sri Lanka. The Men in Blue under the leadership of Rohit Sharma secured the trophy by defeating Sri Lanka in the final.

India and Pakistan haven't played bilateral cricket since 2013, when the Men in Green last visited India. Since then, the two teams have only faced each other in ICC and ACC tournaments. Pakistan returned for the T20 World Cup in 2016 and their most recent encounter was during the 2023 ODI World Cup.

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