Will India pull out of ICC Champions Trophy?

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly refused to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy to be played next year.

Pakistan had kept Lahore as the only venue for the Indian team with the hope to quash security fears and get BCCI’s nod for the mega event. However, BCCI has reportedly shared the likes of Dubai and Sri Lanka as venues for their matches in a hybrid model.

Under the circumstance, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) might not have many options but to agree to BCCI’s demand. But, if they remain hell-bent on hosting all of the matches in Pakistan, the Indian team may decide to pull out of the tournament over security concerns, as getting the government’s nod is quite unlikely.

If it happens, Sri Lanka will go through in their place, having finished 9th in the 2023 ODI World Cup standings.

Notably, India have not played in Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008 and the two sides play each other only at ICC or ACC events.

Pakistan hosted Asia Cup 2023. However, the Indian government did not give approval to the team to travel and as a result their matches were shifted to Sri Lanka.