After a long break, the Champion Trophy, the prestigious tournament of the year, is back in the picture of cricket in 2025. Pakistan is the host country for the esteemed event. Nevertheless, the status of the Indian team engaging in the event is still ambiguous since the BCCI still has to secure some permission from the Indian government.
The political rivalry between the two teams has severance the cross-border cricket relationship, and no test cricket series has been played since 2012-13. During this time, these two rivals have only played each other in ICC competitions so many times.
Speaking on behalf of BCCI, vice president Rajeev Shukla said that the final decision to accompany the Indian team to Pakistan for the champions trophy will be determined by the Indian government only. Shukla said bluntly, ‘We will go according to the decision of the Indian government,’ symbolizing the BCCI’s firmly held policy of safeguarding its players’ lives and property.
The BCCI’s reluctance has been well backed by an Indian zonal cricket committee, which expressed the lack of safety for the Indian team in Pakistan. ‘Why should the Indian team go to Pakistan even for a stay? There is a safety issue in Pakistan. ’ While supporting the BCCI, he added, ‘The stand of BCCI is 100% correct, and there is nothing above the safety of our players. ’
To address BCCI’s concerns, PCB has ensured that all of India’s matches will take place in Lahore; complete security arrangements will be given to the Indian team, and they include accommodation in a recently built, latest 5-star hotel besides Gaddafi Cricket Stadium.
The PCB’s measures regarding a better environment for foreign teams are in the process of working to bring back foreign international cricket in the country. By next year, the construction of the five-star hotel is anticipated to be done early. Thus, teams will not have to use distant hotels, and the security issues arising from this will be addressed.
Cricket fans across the world will bide their time till the next Champions Trophy comes around, and it will be particularly special to see how negotiations between the BCCI and the Indian government pan out, particularly when it comes to the defending Champions India.
