Reports: Lahore to host India vs Pakistan match in Champions Trophy 2025

Shortly after India handed Pakistan a nail-biting defeat at New York in the T20 World Cup 2024 clash, the Men in Blue might have to face a compromise as latest reports have emerged saying that they will have to travel to the neighbouring country for the Champions Trophy 2025. This comes shortly after reports of a tentative 20-day window schedule released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) emerged.

As has been the custom, the 2025 edition of the ICC event will also feature the marquee India-Pakistan encounter, and Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium has been chosen as the hallowed venue. The eight-team tournament is scheduled to be played at two more venues apart from Gaddafi - Rawalpindi and Karachi, which the apex cricketing council identified as the apt locations.

According to Cricbuzz, Lahore will be hosting the majority of the games, seven to be exact, followed by Rawalpindi (five) and Karachi (three). The opening game is scheduled at National Bank Stadium, Karachi, whereas the final will be played at Lahore, the venue for all India games as well. None of the semi-finals will be played in Lahore, however, if India qualifies for the penultimate clash, that particular match will be held only at their allotted venue.

BCCI, Indian Govt key to hybrid model possibilities

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has historically obliged to its central government directives, especially after the NDA government took over. As a result, the board has refused to travel to Pakistan for even a single game, as instanced when Sri Lanka co-hosted the 2023 Asia Cup despite PCB not willing to share the rights with the island nation.

With retention of power by the NDA government through recently-concluded general elections, the Men in Blue will be actively communicating with the officials to see if travelling to the alien nation will be allowed. The stance of the government, though, is likely to remain unchanged.