The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is likely to face a situation where the venue of the mega final will not be known until just about two days before the big match, with Lahore’s hopes of hosting the most important contest dependent on the India National Cricket Team failing to qualify.
According to the Telegraph.co.uk, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to hold the final at the Gaddafi Stadium, with matches also scheduled for Karachi’s National Stadium and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The tournament will run from February 19 to March 9, with the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match scheduled for March 1st.
India has not revealed its travel plans, putting Pakistan on the back foot. The Men in Blue have not played in Pakistan since 2008 due to political reasons.
Sri Lanka hosted both the final and the matches for Team India in the 2023 Asia Cup, which was organized using a hybrid format. The games were shifted to the Island Nation despite Pakistan being the hosts because India refused to play in the neighboring country.
Even though the Champions Trophy might face similar circumstances, if India does not make it, the championship game might still take place in Lahore. Accordingly, the location of the championship match will not be revealed until after the second semifinal on March 6. If India advances to the next round of the tournament, the same will apply to one of the semifinals.
Because of security concerns and the distance from the border, Team India’s matches have been held in Lahore. There is no word on India visiting Pakistan to compete for the Champions Trophy.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) could host Team India’s games, including the crucial match against Pakistan. If India advances to the blockbuster game, the final will be held in Dubai. India advanced to the finals of the last two Champions Trophy tournaments, in 2013 and 2017
Mohsin Naqvi, though, is optimistic that India will visit Pakistan for the ICC competition. India says it will visit Pakistan. “I do not see why India should cancel or reschedule their trip to Pakistan. All of the teams, including India, will travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy,” Mohsin Naqvi said.