India can withdraw from the ICC Champions Trophy, facing fines and reputation damage.

Photo: AFP

The ICC Champions Trophy, slated to be held in Pakistan next year, faces uncertainty as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly declined to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. Initially, Pakistan proposed Lahore as the sole venue for India's matches, aiming to allay security concerns and secure BCCI's approval. However, the BCCI has suggested venues like Dubai and Sri Lanka in a hybrid model instead.

Formal discussions on BCCI's proposal are pending, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may have little choice but to accommodate India's demands. If Pakistan insists on hosting all matches domestically and India remains reluctant due to security reasons, the Indian team could potentially withdraw from the tournament. Securing government approval for travel to Pakistan appears challenging.

Should India withdraw, Sri Lanka, finishing 9th in the 2023 ODI World Cup standings, would likely replace them in the tournament. This situation echoes the Asia Cup 2023, where India's matches were relocated to Sri Lanka after the Indian government withheld approval for travel to Pakistan.

Since the Asia Cup in 2008, bilateral cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have been limited to ICC or ACC events. Despite their last encounter resulting in India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 group stage, political and security considerations continue to influence their matchups.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 marks Pakistan's exclusive hosting of a major international cricket tournament. Previously, Pakistan co-hosted the 1996 Cricket World Cup with India and Sri Lanka and the 1987 Reliance Cup with India.