PriyankaNEW DELHI (Web Desk): The renowned former cricketer-turned-analyst Aakash Chopra has recently voiced his skepticism about India’s prospects of touring Pakistan for the highly anticipated ICC Men’s Champions Trophy in 2025.
Scheduled to be held from February to March in Pakistan, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 faces uncertainty regarding India’s participation. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is currently seeking approval from the Indian government to send the national team to Pakistan.
Indian media reports have highlighted that a source within the BCCI suggested that the Indian cricket team might not travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC event. Furthermore, these reports indicate that the BCCI has formally proposed alternative venues such as Dubai and Sri Lanka for hosting India’s matches during the tournament.
During a recent appearance on a podcast hosted by Raj Shamani on YouTube, Aakash Chopra shared his views on the matter. He expressed that given the current political climate between India and Pakistan, the likelihood of India visiting Pakistan remains minimal.
“The chances of India visiting Pakistan are very slim, to be honest. While cricket has returned to Pakistan with events like the Asia Cup being held there, the hybrid model—where some matches were played in Sri Lanka—proved effective,” Chopra remarked.
He elaborated that despite countries like England, New Zealand, and Australia having toured Pakistan, India’s situation is unique. The decision involves not just the BCCI but also hinges significantly on the Indian government’s policies.
Chopra suggested adopting a hybrid model similar to last year’s ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023. In that instance, India maintained its stance against traveling to Pakistan, resulting in Sri Lanka serving as a co-host.
“We might end up playing our matches outside of Pakistan, in venues like Dubai or Sri Lanka. It’s all about timing and logistical considerations. Personally, I don’t believe India will travel to Pakistan,” he added.
Addressing the potential scenario of both India and Pakistan reaching the final, Chopra pointed out the complexities involved.
“The venue for the final will likely be predetermined. Should Pakistan make it to the final, they would naturally prefer it to be hosted in Pakistan. However, if both India and Pakistan reach the final, hypothetically speaking, it is unlikely that India would agree to travel,” he stated.
It is important to note that India has not toured Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008 due to long-standing political tensions between the two neighboring countries. In contrast, over the past 16 years, Pakistan has visited India on four occasions, with their most recent trip being for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.
As the situation continues to evolve, the final decision regarding India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 remains uncertain, subject to diplomatic and logistical negotiations between the cricketing boards and respective governments.
