Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is making efforts to encourage Indian fans who want to attend the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also holds the position of the Federal Interior Minister, said that the process of granting visas will be accelerated to ensure a large number of Indians attend the event.
“Our special quota of tickets to Indian fans will be saved, and we will take all efforts to make it brisk the visa issuance process,” Naqvi informed recently.
Though the schedules have not been finalized yet, key venues have already been announced. The matches might be played in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. The dates for the tournament are: February 19 is announced for the start of the championship, and the final shall see the light of day on March 9.
However, Indian participation is uncertain as the BCCI is awaiting a formal policy decision from the Indian government regarding travel to Pakistan. This decision will prove crucial as the Indian cricket team has boycotted Pakistan since the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 and bilateral cricketing relations have been largely limited to ICC events and neutral venues.
The PCB is optimistic about Team India’s visit, and Naqvi seems confident. “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,” he said. He also added that the PCB is committed to hosting Indian fans for the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match, which is expected to take place in Lahore.
Meanwhile, ECB high profile officials such as Chairman Richard Thompson said that the withdrawal of India would mean what for the Champions Trophy while ECB officials reportedly believe their tournament will be severely tested without the participation of its biggest attraction-India. Reportedly, “staging the Champions Trophy without powerhouse India is not an option”.
As the discussions went on, the ICC reportedly had alternative plans if the BCCI could not win government approval for the trip.
