India to Skip 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan

India has confirmed that it will not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Sunday. The decision follows a long-standing political rivalry between the two nations which has prevented them from playing bilateral series for over a decade. India last toured Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2008.

PCB spokesperson Sami Ul Hasan revealed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) received an email from the Indian board confirming India’s non-participation in the Champions Trophy which Pakistan will host in February and March 2025. Pakistan plans to stage the tournament across three cities—Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi—but India’s withdrawal has left the event’s final schedule uncertain.

PCB Chairman Moshin Naqvi expressed frustration with India’s stance, stating that Pakistan will not entertain the idea of a hybrid event which would have allowed India to play its matches at neutral venues like the UAE. Naqvi added that Pakistan will defer decisions about future participation in India-hosted events to the government, further emphasizing the geopolitical complexities surrounding cricket between the two countries.

The Champions Trophy, one of the sport’s premier one-day international tournaments will feature eight teams including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa. The event’s schedule initially set for release this week is now likely delayed due to the India-Pakistan dispute.

The two nations have only faced off in ICC multi-nation events since their last bilateral series in 2012-13. Matches between India and Pakistan consistently draw huge global viewership. Pakistan had hoped for a reciprocal gesture after it visited India for last year’s ODI World Cup.