India’s only ICC Elite Panel Umpire, Nitin Menon, will not officiate in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan due to personal reasons. With the tournament venues set in Pakistan, India will conduct all its matches in Dubai, starting February 20 against Bangladesh, primarily owing to security concerns associated with traveling to Pakistan. A robust panel of umpires and referees has been appointed for the tournament.

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is set to take place across three venues in Pakistan—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—starting February 19, culminating in the final on March 9. However, India’s matches will be held in Dubai, with the opening game against Bangladesh on February 20, due to various security concerns. Nitin Menon, India’s sole representative on the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, has declined to officiate in Pakistan for personal reasons, as confirmed by a BCCI source.

The ICC Champions Trophy is a prestigious cricket tournament that gathers the top teams globally, and the inclusion of neutral match officials is standard protocol in international cricket. The decision for Indian matches to be played in Dubai is a reflection of security situations in Pakistan, affecting both players and officials. The tournament’s organizational aspect also involves the assignment of experienced umpires and referees, which plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality of officiating throughout the matches.

In summary, Nitin Menon’s decision to withdraw from officiating at the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan underscores the ongoing security issues impacting the tournament. The ICC has assembled a distinguished panel of umpires and match referees to ensure high standards of officiating, even as India plays its matches in Dubai due to these concerns. This situation highlights the intersection of cricket, security, and international diplomacy.

Original Source: sports.ndtv.com