The Champions Trophy 2025 is certainly a topic of discussion among cricket fans, and surprisingly, it revolves around off-field concerns, with one question dominating the internet, will India travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy or not? Pakistan has not hosted an ICC tournament since the 1996 Wills World Cup, where they were co-hosts.
Now, the Champions Trophy 2025 is going to be pivotal for them, but it has not been confirmed whether they will host the full tournament or not, as India’s hesitation is clearly visible in their delayed stance. Well we have already discussed why India should travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, but here we will discuss why Men in Blue should not travel to Pakistan for this prestigious competition.
Why India should not travel to Pakistan for ICC Champions Trophy
Diplomatic Tensions
The important factor to consider is the current diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan. No doubt that the Indian government will have the final say on whether India should travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. While the BCCI is in charge of cricket matters, the Indian government will first assess all possible factors before approving such a tour. Government approval is crucial for these tours, and given the strained relations between the two countries, this is surely a main reason why India should consider avoiding traveling to Pakistan.
Security Concerns
Another, and perhaps the most important one, is security. Many former Indian players, even Pakistan’s former spinner Danish Kaneria, have recently made statements emphasizing that India should not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025.
Despite assurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding player safety, the importance of security cannot be overlooked.
It’s not just about on-field safety but also off-field security, which is crucial. Given the current situation in Pakistan, where security concerns have been highlighted by several other countries, India should carefully consider this matter before deciding to send the team there.
Hostile Atmosphere
Speaking more about the Indian players, none of the current team members have traveled to Pakistan before. While Virat Kohli did visit, it was as an under-19 player back in 2006. Also, there’s a strong possibility that Indian fans may not travel to Pakistan, which could result in a lack of support for the Men in Blue, potentially creating an unfriendly atmosphere for the players.
Despite Pakistan government assurances, there could still be protests against Indian players by locals there, raising objections against the government’s decision. The BCCI has also suggested a hybrid model, proposing that India’s matches be shifted to another venue. It will be interesting to see how things goes regarding whether the Indian cricket team will travel to play in the Champions Trophy 2025.
