What does S. Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan mean for future of India’s participation in Champions Trophy 2025?

India’s foreign minister S. Jaishankar was in Pakistan for the SCO Summit recently. The visuals of S Jaishankar shaking hands with Shahbaz Sharif have raised hopes for the Champions Trophy. There is new optimism that India could after all tour Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi joined the conversation. Till now, neither BCCI nor India’s government has given any official word on the issue. 

Just a few weeks ago, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi stated that Team India would tour Pakistan for the tournament. Rajeev Shukla, on the other hand, said that they will abide by the government guidelines. India hadn’t toured Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup which was played in a hybrid model. 

There were talks of the tournament being moved out of Pakistan or India being allowed to play in a hybrid model. This is the first time that PCB will be hosting a multi-national tournament in a long time. 

Pakistan Cricket Board has come up with a new proposal 

According to PTI, the Pakistan Cricket Board has made a huge proposal to BCCI. The reports suggest that PCB has asked India to stay in Delhi or Punjab and travel to Lahore only during game days. One source said, “But yes it is true that these options have been discussed verbally between officials as a way to ensure that India plays its matches in Pakistan.” 

The proposal though has just been discussed verbally, with an official request likely to be made soon. Rohit Sharma and his men will play all their games in Lahore and are slated to take on Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Pakistan in their group phase. 

Just a few days ago, one PCB source said, “The PCB’s first choice and priority is to host the entire Champions Trophy in Pakistan and they are counting on this but internally the Board is also mentally prepared to hear about the Indian government not allowing its team to play in Pakistan and India’s matches being held in UAE.”

The source in the know also added, “But the PCB has decided even in the event of India not playing in Pakistan they want the final to be held in Lahore. Even if India qualifies for the final the PCB wants the ICC to hold the match at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.” The focus will now be on Mr Jaishankar’s return to India and what he advises India’s government and BCCI about the prospect of touring Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025.