Team India doubtful for Champions Trophy as Pakistan release home fixtures – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s home 2024-25 season will be highlighted by the Champions Trophy, although it’s unclear if neighboring India will go across the border for the prestigious 50-overs competition, which is being hosted for the first time since 2017.

India have not toured Pakistan since 2008 and the archrivals play each other only at multi-team events.

Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year, but India, the ultimate victors, were permitted to play all of their matches in Sri Lanka under a “hybrid model” set by the organizers.

India claimed that their government had not granted them permission to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup.

The home schedule for Pakistan was announced on Friday. It includes Test series against Bangladesh, England and West Indies as well as a 50-over tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa in February of the following year.

The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is being renovated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy, which would take place there from February 19 to March 5.

The PCB released a statement stating that the tournament’s dates and locations will be announced “in due course” by the governing International Cricket Council, as per Reuters.

Pakistan’s status in the game is underscored, according to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, by the five elite cricket-playing nations that will be visiting, as well as by a number of other nations taking part in the Champions Trophy over the next eight months.

“We deeply value the participation of these teams and players, who will bring immense talent and competitive spirit to our fields,” he added.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India did not immediately respond to requests for comment, although vice president of the BCCI Rajeev Shukla recently stated that they would only participate if permission from the government was granted.

Prior to its discontinuation owing to a packed schedule, Pakistan were victorious in the final Champions Trophy competition, which took place in England in 2017. But because the ICC wants to host a major event each year, it is being brought back.