The road to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is in full swing during the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup in India.
The top seven teams at the conclusion of the group stage in the ICC ODI World Cup, along with the host nation, Pakistan, will secure their spots in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
However, there are significant doubts about whether India will travel to Pakistan for the global tournament due to the strained political relationships between the two countries.
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Pakistan were the host of the 2023 Asia Cup but India refused to travel to their neighbours citing security concerns, which forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to agree to the hybrid model, with four matches to be played in Pakistan and the rest in Sri Lanka.
MORE: Which teams will qualify for ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
Will India travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025?
BCCI president Roger Binny and vice-president Rajeev Shukla travelled to Pakistan to watch Asia Cup matches in Multan and Lahore.
After a quality trip, the duo returned to India which marked the first time in 17 years that BCCI office-bearers visited the neighbouring nation.
Now, Zaka Ashraf, the PCB chief returned the favour and was in Ahmedabad to witness the blockbuster India-Pakistan rivalry at the Narendra Modi Stadium in the ongoing ICC World Cup.
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During his visit, he met with Jay Shah, the BCCI Secretary, and exchanged pleasantries. When asked if he discussed with Shah about India visiting Pakistan in 2025 he replied: "It was a different situation and I could not have started discussing about the Champions Trophy."
"The most important thing is that Pakistan should not be in isolation. I have returned after 10 years and when I went to ICC (meetings) I found that Pakistan are isolated. Jay Shah gave me a lot of respect. It was a wonderful reception. The reception was not for me but for PCB and the chairman of PCB. Jay Shah then told me that 'I have met with previous chairman as well and now when I am speaking to you, I feel very comfortable. Just like you, I am a businessman as well. I have my own business. We can have a very good working relationship. The respect and honour that you showered on Roger Binny and Rajeev Shukla, they came back and told us that we had a misunderstanding. Pakistani people are very loving and give us immense respect. They gave us the same respect that they give to Pakistan (players and officials).'
"So when I went there I was also given the same respect and hospitality. This is how I relationship is built. I am hopeful that gradually the distance between the two countries will lessen and we will be successful in bringing the Indian team to Pakistan."
How many points do Pakistan need to make the World Cup semi-finals?
The maximum points that Pakistan could reach at the end of their group stage is 10. However, judging by what happened in the 2019 World Cup, 12 points could be enough to see a team reach the semifinal.
Hence, it is difficult for Pakistan to reach the World Cup semifinal. But their spot in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 is confirmed as they are the host nation.
MORE: When is Pakistan's next ODI World Cup match?
Pakistan's remaining matches at the ICC ODI World Cup 2023?
| SR NO. | DATE | MATCH | VENUE | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuesday, October 31 | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 14:00 (IST) |
| 2 | Saturday, November 04 | New Zealand vs Pakistan | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore | 10:30 (IST) |
| 3 | Saturday, November 11 | England vs Pakistan | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 14:00 (IST) |
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