The tournament will return next year after a 12-year hiatus, having last been held in 2013 when India won the tournament, beating England in the final.
However, tense political relations between India and Pakistan have often forced the Indian cricket team to forgo touring Pakistan, which was co-hosting the 2023 Asia Cup along with Sri Lanka. However, the Indian team would have to travel across the border to play the match. Instead, the team would have to camp in Sri Lanka, while Pakistan would have to travel to the island nation to play India.
Also read: Watch the victory parade video: Wankhede crowd sings ‘Vande Matram’ at team India’s T20 World Cup victory parade
India said they did not get permission from the government to tour Pakistan for last year’s Asia Cup.
Pakistan’s home fixtures, announced on Friday, also include Test series against Bangladesh, England and the West Indies, followed by a trio of 50-over matches also featuring New Zealand and South Africa in February next year.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is renovating Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium to host the 2025 Champions Trophy and has proposed holding the event from February 19 to March 5.
The International Cricket Council will announce the dates and venue for the tournament “in due course”, the PCB said in a statement.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the planned visits of the top five cricketing nations and several others participating in the Champions Trophy over the next eight months highlight Pakistan’s standing in the sporting world.
“We greatly value the participation of these teams and players, who will bring incredible talent and competitive spirit to our arena,” he added.
Officials at the Board of Control for Cricket in India were not immediately available for comment, but BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla recently said the event would only go ahead if the Delhi government gave its permission.
The last Champions Trophy was held in England in 2017, won by Pakistan, but was subsequently cancelled due to a hectic schedule. However, the ICC is keen to host a major event every year and is set to hold it again.
Senior players will also take part in the Champions Trophy
Meanwhile, BCCI Secretary General Jay Shah confirmed that veteran players from the current Indian national team will take part in the Champions Trophy.
“The way this team is progressing, our target is to win the World Test Championship final and the Champions Trophy. We will have a similar team playing there too. Our senior boys will be there too,” Shah had said last week.
As per India’s international fixtures, the team is scheduled to play a total of nine ODI matches – three each against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and England.
(With PTI input)
