Champions Trophy 2025 Final to be Shifted Out of Pakistan if India Qualify? PCB Responds Strongly

We are roughly four months away, yet there is so much speculation already over the venue of the Champions Trophy 2025. Will the marquee event eventually happen in Pakistan ? Will BCCI send it's team to Pakistan? With so many questions still unanswered, a report in The Telegraph claims that the final could be moved to Dubai in case India make it to the summit clash. Quashing the report as per Duniya News, a PCB official claimed that Pakistan remains steadfast in its stance of hosting the entire tournament in the country. 

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‘PCB remains steadfast in its stance’

“Despite the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan , the PCB remains steadfast in its stance to ensure a successful and uninterrupted tournament,” clarified the PCB.

"There is absolutely no truth to the reports suggesting that the Champions Trophy final could be moved outside Pakistan . We are working diligently to ensure that all preparations for the tournament are on track, and we are confident that Pakistan will be able to host a memorable event," PCB added. 

ICC STANCE

Till now, the apex cricket body is yet to give any confirmation on the change of venues. But yes, many reports suggest that the tournament would happen in a hybrid model similar to the 2023 Asia Cup, in which India played all of its matches—including the final—in Sri Lanka.

India Not Travelling to Pakistan

India haven’t traveled to Pakistan in the 16 years since 2008, whereas Pakistan have visited India three times in that period including the 2023 ODI World Cup last year. In addition to this, no major ICC tournaments have been hosted entirely in Pakistan since the 1996 ODI World Cup .

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During the 2023 World Cup, Babar Azam -led Pakistan played two matches each in Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata and the high-voltage match with arch-rivals India was played at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi stadium on October 14.