ECB chief gives final verdict on Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 amid India’s uncertain stance

Jul 28, 2024

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ECB chief gives final verdict on Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 amid India’s uncertain stance

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Richard Gould, Chief Executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), has shared insights about the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. The International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded Pakistan the hosting rights for this prestigious tournament, scheduled for February-March next year. However, uncertainty looms over India‘s participation due to longstanding political tensions between the two countries, which have prevented India from visiting Pakistan for over 15 years.

Pakistan’s hosting milestone and India’s potential absence

The upcoming Champions Trophy will mark Pakistan’s first major multi-nation cricket tournament since the Asia Cup 2008. While Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup 2023, India’s matches were relocated to Sri Lanka due to security concerns. Consequently, only four matches of the tournament took place in Pakistan, with the remaining nine, including the final, held in Sri Lanka.

India, recently crowned T20 World Cup champions, has not toured Pakistan since 2008. It remains unlikely that the Men in Blue will travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to propose a hybrid model, where the Indian team might play their matches in Sri Lanka or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) instead.

Also READ: Will India visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025? BCCI responds

England and Wales Cricket Board’s ultimate stance

Now in an interview with BBC Test Match Special during the tea break on Day 1 of the third Test between England and the West Indies Gould confirmed the ECB’s commitment to supporting the Champions Trophy’s successful hosting in Pakistan, despite concerns about India’s participation. Gould emphasized the strong determination of both the ECB and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to ensure the tournament proceeds as planned.

“There’s a great deal of determination to make sure it [Champions Trophy] is [hosted in Pakistan next year]. Particularly from the PCB and the ECB,” Gould was quoted as saying by the Wisden.

Potential tournament details and Pakistan’s legacy

The Champions Trophy is set to commence on February 19 in Karachi, with the final slated for March 9 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand. The highly anticipated India-Pakistan match is scheduled for March 1 at Gaddafi Stadium, where all of India’s games will be held. Pakistan will the tournament as the defending champions, having clinched the title in 2017 by defeating India by 180 runs. The Men in Green will aim to replicate their success on home soil, adding to the tournament’s historical significance.