Champions Trophy 2025 : New Zealand Follow India, All Set To Inspect Security Threat In Pakistan

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New Zealand has taken a cue from India and opted to assess a potential security concern in Pakistan with less than two months remaining until the Champions Trophy 2025.

A delegation from New Zealand has been dispatched to Pakistan to evaluate the security arrangements ahead of their planned tri-series with the hosts and South Africa, set to take place from February 8 to February 14.

Brad Rodden from the New Zealand Players' Association and security expert Reg Dickason are members of the New Zealand delegation. They are assessing the security measures and evaluating readiness for the upcoming series following visits to Karachi and Lahore.

Similarly, ICC representatives have also traveled to Pakistan for an inspection. Their purpose is to review the arrangements and readiness for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Notably, India's matches in the tournament will take place outside Pakistan, though the specific venue is yet to be announced.

The ICC earlier announced that India and Pakistan will compete in all ICC events during the 2024-27 cycle under a hybrid model. This arrangement ensures that India will not visit Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Similarly, Pakistan will refrain from traveling to India for the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule is yet to be revealed, but an official announcement is anticipated soon. As hosts and reigning champions, Pakistan will look to retain the title they clinched in 2017. The highly anticipated tournament will include eight teams: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and Pakistan.

The big-ticket tournament, in which Pakistan are the defending champions is expected to start from February 19 and it will go on till 9th March.

Presently, India are busy playing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, while Pakistan are touring South Africa.