ICC Chief Geoff Allardice Confirms No Relocation of Champions Trophy in Pakistan Amid India's Participation Uncertainty

ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice confirmed the Champions Trophy will remain in Pakistan. India’s participation remains uncertain due to political tensions. The last bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan was in 2012. The BCCI awaits government approval for the Indian team to travel to Pakistan.

International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Geoff Allardice has firmly stated that there are "no plans" to relocate the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan early next year. However, uncertainty continues to loom over India's participation due to longstanding political tensions between the two neighbors.

India has not played any cricket in Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008, with their last bilateral series being held in India in December 2012. Since then, matches between the two nations have been limited to ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup.

Geoff Allardice, speaking at a media briefing in Dubai for the Women's T20 World Cup, reiterated that the venue for the Champions Trophy remains unchanged. Quoting from Geo Super, he said, "No plans to relocate the Champions Trophy from Pakistan."

Earlier this year, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla emphasized that the Indian team's participation in the ICC Champions Trophy would depend on the central government's approval. Shukla stated to ANI, "We will do whatever the Government of India tells us to do. We send our team only when the Government of India gives us permission."

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, dubbed the "Mini World Cup," will feature eight top teams, including India, Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Pakistan, the defending champions from 2017, had adopted a hybrid strategy for last year's Asia Cup, with all of India's matches being played in Sri Lanka. Pakistan had hinted at using a similar strategy for the ODI World Cup in India but eventually played all their games within India.

(With inputs from agencies.)