The Champions Trophy 2025, set to be held in Pakistan from February to March this year, is facing uncertainty because of Team India showing reluctance to play in the hosting country. The chances of India’s matches to be relocate to the UAE is being discussed a lot by the media.
The format and schedule of the tournament remain uncertain, and the finals may even be moved to Pakistan in case India qualifies. The lack of clarity with Champions Trophy 2025 has caused concerns for other cricket boards, especially the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Richard Gould, the ECB’s chief executive, has stated that a Champions Trophy without the involvement of Pakistan or India would not be financially stable.
“(Play) without India? I wouldn’t have thought so. If you play the Champions Trophy without India or Pakistan, the broadcast rights aren’t there, and we need to protect them. It would not be in cricket’s interests for India not to be playing in the Champions Trophy. We’re all waiting to understand whether India are going to travel,” said Gould in a chat with belfasttelegraph.
“That’s the key. I know Pakistan are expecting India to travel but there are lots of different alternatives and contingencies available if that doesn’t happen. Hopefully we can have the fullest possible competition in Pakistan, this is a big moment for the country. If that’s not possible, we know there are options available. There’s geopolitics and then there’s cricketing geopolitics. I think they’ll find a way. They have to find a way. There are always security concerns in this part of the world when those two countries play each other. That will probably drive the key decisions,” he added.
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