India has formally expressed its reluctance to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over travelling to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

A media report has stated that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its request to the PCB to organise all its games at a neutral venue, in Dubai, UAE.

The BCCI cited security concerns over their unwillingness to travel to their neighbouring country. A source privy to the developments was also quoted by the report stating, “This has been our stance and there is no reason to change that.”

Notably, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sent a proposed fixture list with dates and venues to the ICC.

As per the tentative schedule, the tournament featuring eight teams will be organised at three venues.

Matches will be played between Feb 19 to Mar 9 in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore.

The event will kick off on Feb 19, with the final scheduled for Mar 9.

This major ICC event in the 50-over format is being held again after 8 years.

The tournament will include the top eight teams from the previous year’s One Day International (ODI) World Cup. These eight teams will be divided into two groups of four each.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals.

Host Pakistan is in Group A with arch-rival India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Group B consists of England, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan.

No bilateral series has taken place between India and Pakistan for years over the political tensions between the countries, with the two countries last playing each other in January 2013 in India. India last toured Pakistan in 2005-06 and hasn’t played any matches in Pakistan since then.

Also read:

Indian Cricket Team won’t travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy: Report

Neither bilaterals, nor Champions Trophy to be played in Pakistan: BCCI sources