Champions Trophy May Move to South Africa or UAE if Pakistan Opts Out: Sources

South Africa, UAE May Host 2025 Champions Trophy if Pakistan Pulls Out

New Delhi [India], : South Africa and UAE are favorites to host the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy if Pakistan pulls out at the last minute, according to sources.

On Sunday, Pakistani media reported that the International Cricket Council; India had written to the Pakistan Cricket Board that it would not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy citing security threats.

Without Pakistan’s participation, the ICC could face contractual challenges with broadcasters and sponsors, expecting both teams to play high-stakes matches.

The consequences could be legal disputes with trading partners, a possible drop in revenue and a decline in the ICC’s financial allocation to member states.

Since their team also visited, the Pakistan Cricket Board wants India to visit Pakistan during the 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup.

The PCB is opposed to the Indian cricket board’s desire that the ICC hold the team’s match in a hybrid format, with the final taking place at the Dubai International Stadium in the United Arab Emirates. If the two boards are not on the same page, chances are high that the slots for the mega event will be changed.

Due to strained political relations between the two countries, India have not visited Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup. The arch-rivals played their last bilateral series in India in 2012–13, a white-ball series now mostly played in ICC tournaments and Asia Cups.

India is adamant that it will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy due to security reasons. Rajeev Shukla, the vice-president of the BCCI, had earlier this year stated that India would only travel to Pakistan with permission from the Indian government.

It is noteworthy that the Asia Cup was held in a hybrid format in Pakistan last year. Pakistan hosted the remaining matches, while Sri Lanka hosted India’s matches.