2025 Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma’s India To Play In Karachi? PCB Suggests ICC To Minimise Men India Blue’s Itinerary

Karachi: The Indian cricket team is likely to play all their 2025 ICC Champions Trophy matches in Karachi after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly suggested scheduling Men in Blue’s itinerary in one city. However, it is yet to see whether the BCCI allows India to travel to Pakistan citing security reasons. Due to the political indifferences, both India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012 and only meet during ACC and ICC events. Last year, India didn’t travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup before playing all their games in Sri Lanka in a hybrid model.

The PCB is slated to host the upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy and picked three cities in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore to organize the tournament. Lahore is also set to host the final. “The ICC general manager Wasim Khan also recently visited Lahore where he discussed the CT arrangements with the PCB top brass and it was suggested that the Indian team’s travel itinerary be kept to a minimum,” a PCB source informed.

According to the source, India could play their initial qualifying round games at Karachi before proceeding to the venues for the knockouts. The last time India visited Pakistan was in 2008. As things stand, India might send its team to the neighbouring country since the Men in Green travelled across the border last year to play in the 50-over World Cup.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has maintained that all teams would play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan as per schedule. He also informed that stadium renovation work would commence soon, with the tournament expected to be held in February-March 2025.