As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 edges closer, the big question on everyone’s mind is: Will India actually play in Pakistan? Recently, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief Richard Thompson and CEO Richard Gould weighed in on the situation.
He gave a clear message that India’s participation is crucial, not just for the competition, but for the sport’s financial health.
The India Factor: More Than Just a Game
“Cricket cannot afford to lose its broadcasting rights, and the Champions Trophy without India would not be in the best interest of the sport,” Thompson said bluntly. He stressed that without India, the tournament risks losing not only viewers but also serious broadcasting revenue.
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In case India refuses to tour Pakistan due to ongoing political tensions, there’s talk of a hybrid model being used. This would allow India to play their matches outside of Pakistan. However, this plan isn’t final yet.
According to Thompson, the ultimate decision will be made by the incoming ICC CEO, Jay Shah, who also happens to be the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The Hybrid Model: A Possible Solution?
India could still participate in the Champions Trophy, but instead of playing in Pakistan, their matches would be hosted in a neutral venue, possibly the UAE or another nearby country. This would let India avoid traveling to Pakistan, while still being part of the tournament.
This isn’t a new idea. In fact, it’s similar to the arrangement for the 2023 Asia Cup, where some matches were played in Sri Lanka, allowing India to avoid touring Pakistan.
CEO Richard Gould backed this idea, acknowledging the complexity of the situation: “Whenever Pakistan and India play, security concerns in the region escalate, but the financial stakes for broadcasting rights are significant.” In other words, safety is always a concern, but the money involved makes it impossible to simply leave India out.
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A Long History of Tensions
It’s no secret that India and Pakistan have a long and complicated political relationship, which often spills over into cricket. The Indian team hasn’t traveled to Pakistan since 2008, when they participated in the Asia Cup.
Since then, every time these two teams face off, it’s either at a neutral venue or in India. In contrast, Pakistan has made four trips to India in the last 16 years, with their most recent visit just last year for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.
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