The recent visit of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to Pakistan has rekindled conversations around India's possible participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to be hosted by Pakistan. The issue came up during talks between Jaishankar and Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar, with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi reportedly joining in at some point.
While the final decision on India's participation will be taken by the Indian Government, several developments have sparked fresh speculations. The PCB has offered to assist the Indian team by proposing that the players return to India after each match due to security concerns. Lahore, which is in close proximity to the Indian border, has been designated for all of India's matches to ease logistical and safety challenges. These matches are scheduled for February 20 (vs Bangladesh), February 23 (vs Pakistan), and March 2 (vs New Zealand).
Despite the initial plans, reports suggest the broadcaster requested that the India-New Zealand game be relocated, possibly to Rawalpindi. However, ICC and PCB officials have not confirmed any such request.
The ICC Champions Trophy's global appeal hinges on India's participation, and there are contingency plans in place should India decide not to travel to Pakistan. A hybrid model, in which India plays its matches outside Pakistan, remains a possible alternative. Without India, the tournament's commercial value could significantly drop, as confirmed by ECB Chair Richard Thomson, who emphasized the importance of India's involvement in protecting broadcast rights.
With the tournament just months away, cricket fans and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the final call. Keep up with the latest match insights and predictions for the Champions Trophy and more on Lotus365 Match Predictions, where you can also explore betting opportunities on the Sports Betting Page. For additional information, visit our Contact Page or our About Us Page. credits-https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/132088/ministers-visit-rekindles-talk-of-indias-participation-in-ct
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