Venue Change Possible for Champions Trophy Final if India Qualifies

If India reaches the final of the ICC Champions Trophy, there may be a change in the tournament's venue. The Indian cricket team has already confirmed that they will not play in Pakistan, leading to the potential relocation of the final from Lahore to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in February, with a total of 15 matches, including the final, initially set to be held in Lahore. However, India's participation remains uncertain, as they have not played any international matches in Pakistan since 2008. This situation could necessitate a venue change for India's matches.

According to reports from the Pakistani media outlet Cricket Pakistan, informal discussions are underway to consider Dubai as an alternative venue if India reaches the final on March 9. Therefore, the final venue may not be confirmed until just three days prior, on March 6.

The report also mentions that if India makes it to the semifinals, that match may also need to be held outside Pakistan. Venues such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah are being considered.

Despite the uncertainty, officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remain optimistic about the tournament's success in Pakistan. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed hope for India's participation, stating, "India should come to Pakistan. We are confident that we can organize the Champions Trophy with all teams in Pakistan."