Following the conclusion of their hotly contested match on Sunday, June 9, in New York, India and Pakistan appear to be nearing another significant match.

Unless they play each other in the Twenty20 World Cup knockout stages later this month in the Caribbean, arch-rivals will square off again in eight months in March 2025 during the Champions Trophy.

As per a report by Cricbuzz, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has received the draft schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The match between India and Pakistan is slated to be the last league game of the campaign, which consists of 15 matches and eight teams.

The match is scheduled to take place in Lahore, subject to permission from the Indian government to play in Pakistan, as per the proposed timetable.

If approval is denied, the competition might use a hybrid format, hosting the India games in the United Arab Emirates, akin to the Asia Cup from the previous year.

Last-minute adjustments are not unusual, but neither the PCB nor the ICC are currently exploring a hybrid approach. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian government are now the centre of attention.

This article is set against the backdrop of the most recent terrorist attack on Hindu pilgrims in the Reasi area of Jammu & Kashmir. 33 pilgrims were hurt and at least nine pilgrims perished in the terror attack.

In the Reasi area of J&K, a bus transporting Hindu pilgrims was ambushed by terrorists, causing it to crash into a ravine close to Teryath hamlet. There have been rumours that the terrorist acts were planned and executed by Pakistan.

The Riot Act, which states that "one should be chastised accordingly after being caught engaging in antisocial behaviour," should be read to Pakistan by BCCI in this situation. As a result, BCCI should keep its prohibition on playing games in Pakistan.

Due to political tensions between the two nations, India has not visited Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, and there is currently no need for them to break the ban.

It has been recommended, nevertheless, that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) move forward with its plans.

The 20-day competition will take place in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, with Lahore serving as the host city for the India games. There are seven games in Lahore, five in Rawalpindi, and three in Karachi on the schedule.

The first match is scheduled to take place in Karachi on February 19; Rawalpindi and Karachi will host the two semifinals. Lahore, which will host all India games as well as a semifinal should India qualify, will play home to the final, which is slated for March 9.