New Delhi, November 28 (UITV) – The recent political instability and security conditions in Pakistan have raised serious questions over the hosting of the Champions Trophy 2025. Sri Lanka’s ‘A’ team has canceled its tour due to the ongoing protests and turbulent conditions in Islamabad. This has given a big blow to Pakistan’s claims of hosting international cricket.
Due to the ongoing protests in Pakistan, the Sri Lanka A team decided to leave the ongoing ODI series with Pakistan Shaheens midway. PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) has postponed the remaining two matches after this decision of the Sri Lanka A team. These matches were to be played on Wednesday and Friday.
This move of the Sri Lanka A team may further increase the concern of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and other countries over the security situation in Pakistan. This has strengthened the possibility that the 2025 Champions Trophy may be held entirely outside Pakistan.
The growing confrontation between Imran Khan’s supporters and General Asim Munir’s army in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad has created an atmosphere of chaos. The security situation is extremely bad at the moment. Supporters of jailed former Prime Minister and cricketer Imran Khan have laid siege to the capital.
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This instability has dashed Pakistan’s dream of hosting its first ICC event since 1996. The pressure on Pakistan is increasing due to political turmoil and security concerns and the ICC is likely to take a decision on the issue soon.
According to sources, the schedule of the 2025 Champions Trophy will be discussed in the upcoming virtual meeting of the ICC Board. Many countries have already expressed security concerns. In such a situation, the possibility of moving the event out of Pakistan or organizing it in a hybrid model has increased. In the hybrid model, some matches of the tournament can be held outside Pakistan, which will reduce security risks.
India had already refused to go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. This had become a big problem for Pakistan. Now the cancellation of the tour of Sri Lanka A team and increasing security concerns have brought further crisis on Pakistan’s hosting.
The current situation in Pakistan has weakened its claims to host international cricket. Due to political instability and security concerns, the ICC is being forced to take the option of changing the venue. If this happens, it will be a big blow to Pakistan cricket. The ICC’s decision will clarify the situation on this issue in the coming time.
