Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy Final could be shifted from Lahore to Dubai if India qualify for the summit clash of the marquee event, The Telegraph reported on Tuesday.
The Champions Trophy is slated to run from February 19 to March 9 with 15 matches spread across Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.
However, with no official confirmation on whether India will be travelling to the neighbouring country, there have been reports that the India matches will be held outside.
The Telegraph on Tuesday said in its report that alternative venues for India matches are being ‘informally’ considered with Dubai to host the finale, if India qualifies.
With strained political relations between the neighbouring countries, India have not toured Pakistan since July 2008.
Recently Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi had said that the tournament will take place in the country with all matches, including India’s to be held in Pakistan. Naqvi also pointed out that the preparations for the tournament are going as planned.
“The Indian team should come. I don’t see them cancel or postpone coming here and we are confident we will host all the teams in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan,” Naqvi had said.
Last year, Pakistan was the official host of the Asia Cup but the continental tournament was eventually hosted jointly with India matches taking place in Sri Lanka.
The BCCI had then cited a denial of permission by the Indian government as the reason not to tour Pakistan.
India last played a bilateral series with Pakistan back in 2012-13 and since then the two countries have only met at global events.
