ICC Champions Trophy: India-Pakistan deadlock persists

LAHORE: Deadlock persists over India’s refusal to come to Pakistan for ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The tournament is less than a 100 days away, and the continued uncertainty over India’s willingness to send a team to Pakistan is causing problems for the stakeholders as well.

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Sources familiar with the matter have said that as the tournament dates come close, the continued dispute will keep lowering the face value of the event. Broadcasters are worried about the schedule not being finalised, sources said.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not organised the countdown ceremony for the mega event either. However, as per sources, the ICC has started consultations with board members on the current situation.

ICC has sold the media rights to the broadcasters until 2027 for $3 billion. The broadcasters had sought assurances that there would be at least four Pakistan-India matches during the mega event.

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Earlier, Pakistan announced that if India continues its stance to not play in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, then Pakistan will not play with India on any international platform either, including the T20 World Cup 2026.