PCB demand clear yes-or-no response from BCCI on India's participation in 2025 Champions Trophy: Reports

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reportedly asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to give a written yes-or-no response about India's possible participation in the 2025 men's Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

According to Cricket Pakistan, the Champions Trophy schedule is set to be released next week, and Lahore will be named the host of all of India's matches. The BCCI, on their part, are yet to commit to whether the team will travel west or not.

No Indian cricket team has toured Pakistan since 2006, with political tensions at the center of the issue. India have often cited security concerns as the main hurdle, despite Pakistan giving assurances of the contrary.

There haven't been many instances of the BCCI formally denying touring Pakistan, though, and the response to this query remains to be seen. The International Cricket Council (ICC) have a contingency plan in place if India refuse to travel, having reserved a part of the budget to hold some games outside Pakistan.

Last year, the Asia Cup was to be hosted by Pakistan but after much to and fro between the boards, half of the games ended up moving to Sri Lanka. This time, according to The Telegraph, Dubai is being seen as one of the back-up venues.

The PCB, though, have remained hopeful.

"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,” chairman Mohsin Naqvi had said in October (via Indian Express).

The PCB have done renovation work on stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, spending about 13 billion Pakistani rupees (₹394 crore), for the same.

PCB has also promised other benefits

Earlier this month, Naqvi also promised special arrangements for Indian fans, including a separate quota of tickets and accelerated visa issuance (via Hindustan Times).

The tournament is now just a few months away, slated to begin on February 19, with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi. The final will take place on March 9.