"It's unfortunate," says Shane Watson on India's refusal to play Champions Trophy in Pakistan

Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson voiced his disappointment over India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, labelling it as “unfortunate” for Pakistani cricket fans who may miss out on witnessing highly anticiapted fixtured between traditional rivals 

The tournament is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, and will now follow a hybrid model, under which the Indian team will play matches at a neutral venue in Dubai. 

“It’s unfortunate things have turned out this way, but everyone loves watching India-Pakistan games,” Watson said while expressing regret about missing the chance to witness the historic India-Pakistan rivalry in Pakistan. 

Watson also acknowledged the passion of Pakistani cricket fans, saying, “I got a small opportunity to play in the PSL in 2019, the first time after playing there in 2005. It was one of the highlights of my career. To go to Pakistan after a long time and see the love and joy they have for cricket was incredible. They were starved of world-class live cricket.”

He said that hosting the event would be a major achievement for Pakistan, and it is “going to be huge for Pakistan cricket fans to watch world-class players in their country.”

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fixtures and groupings were announced by the ICC on Tuesday, 24 December, with the tournament set to begin on 19 February in Karachi with the final on 9 March.

The eight-team tournament will feature 15 matches, and will be played across Pakistan and in Dubai.

In Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will be the three venues to host tournament play. Each Pakistan venue will feature three group games apiece, with Lahore hosting the second semi-final.

Lahore will also host the final on 9 March, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai. Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.