'We will abide': BCCI finally breaks silence on India's travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy

The BCCI has finally broken its silence on India's participation in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan , stating that the Indian government will make the final call. The tournament is scheduled for February 19 to March 9, 2025, and Pakistan is eager to host the event.

The Indian government's decision will be crucial, as India has not traveled to Pakistan for bilateral cricket since 2008 due to political tensions. The two teams have only played each other in ICC events at neutral venues. However, the Champions Trophy is not a bilateral tournament but an ICC competition.  

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has submitted a draft schedule to the ICC, proposing that all of India's matches be played in Lahore, including the high-voltage match against Pakistan on March 1, 2025. However, the BCCI will finalize its stance after consultations with the Indian government.

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BCCI on India's travel to Pakistan

"No decision has been taken (yet). But our policy is that for international tours, we always seek the permission of the government. It's up to the government to decide whether our team should go to any country or our team should not go to any country," BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla told reporters on Monday.

"In this case (also), whatever the government will decide, we will abide by that," he added.

The Champions Trophy 2025 will feature eight teams, including India, Pakistan , Bangladesh , New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, and Afghanistan. The tournament is slated to be held across three venues in Pakistan: Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.

The PCB is hopeful that all eight teams will participate in the tournament, but the BCCI's decision is still awaited. The Indian team's participation will be a significant factor in the tournament's success, given the huge following of Indian players.

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The India- Pakistan match is always a highly anticipated event, and the Champions Trophy 2025 will be no exception. The tournament's success hinges on the participation of the Indian team, and the decision is eagerly awaited by cricket fans worldwide.