Champions Trophy 2025: We are 6-7 months away from the start of the next big ICC event. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place in Pakistan between February 19 and March 9. Pakistan are the defending champions, and they are the hosts. The top eight teams will compete in this tournament. Two groups are divided into four teams each. The PCB has also submitted the proposed schedule to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
All the boards have agreed, but the BCCI is still unsure. Some media reports confirm that Team India might not travel to Pakistan and that the Champions Trophy 2025 might be played in a hybrid format, just like the Asia Cup 2023. So what are the chances of this? Well, if the Indian government won’t allow it, India won’t travel. Hence, we will talk about three venues that can host Indian matches if they won’t travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Champions Trophy 2025: Three venues that can host Indian matches if they don’t travel to Pakistan
3. Bangladesh
India might play their matches nearby, and Dhaka Stadium in Bangladesh can be a good option. There is not much difference in the time zone between the two countries. It will be easy for India to travel to Bangladesh. Dhaka is the most-recognised stadium in Bangladesh, and the conditions here are not much different from those in India. If the BCCI has the option, they can choose it as the venue for their matches in the Champions Trophy 2025.
2. Sri Lanka
Something similar happened in the Asia Cup 2023 when Pakistan were the hosts but India didn’t travel and their matches took place in Sri Lanka in Colombo. That can be done again. Some reports confirm that the BCCI will request the ICC to host their games of the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka. Hence, the IND vs PAK game on March 1 might also be played in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
1. UAE
When there was no cricket played in Paksitan, they used to host their matches in the United Arab Emirates. Even in 2021, when India were the hosts of the T20 World Cup, due to COVID, the entire tournament was shifted to the UAE. That’s what can happen if the ICC agrees to the BCCI, and India will be playing their matches either in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, or Dubai.
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