In a significant development ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament. Citing security concerns, the BCCI has requested that all of India's matches be moved to Dubai instead, as confirmed by an anonymous BCCI official to the Indian Express. This stance has been consistent, and the BCCI has made it clear that there is no change in their position on the matter.

The decision comes despite ongoing diplomatic talks between Indian and Pakistani officials, including a recent meeting between India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Islamabad.

In 2023, Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup in a 'Hybrid Model,' where India's matches were played in Sri Lanka, and the final was also held there. The idea of a similar arrangement for the Champions Trophy, where India could potentially return to India after each match, was reportedly suggested by the PCB. However, the BCCI has firmly rejected this idea, maintaining its stance of not traveling to Pakistan under current circumstances.

The tentative schedule proposed by the PCB sets a marquee match between India and Pakistan in Lahore on March 1, 2025. The tournament is set to begin on February 19, with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi. The final is scheduled for March 9 at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. However, due to security and logistical concerns, all of India's matches have been allocated to Lahore, which could further complicate the situation.

The ICC is unlikely to intervene in the dispute, as it cannot force any member board to act against its government policy, which has been a longstanding issue in bilateral cricket relations between India and Pakistan.

With the tournament less than a year away, the PCB is eager for the ICC to finalize and announce the full schedule, with top officials expected to visit Lahore next week to review the preparations.