The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not made any official statement, but talks are going around whether the Indian team should go to Pakistan for next year’s Champions Trophy. Reliable sources of Cricbuzz reported that an estimated $65 million budget was approved by the ICC at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Colombo recently. Costs related to holding a few games outside of Pakistan are included in this budget.
According to Cricbuzz’s report dated July 10, the Champions Trophy will take place between February 19 and March 9. It is understood that the million-dollar question of whether or not India would participate was not discussed at various forums of the ICC AGM, however, a contingency plan has been made just in case.
The Chief Executives Committee (CEC) approval note states that “PCB has signed Host Agreement and has worked with management to draft an event budget which is submitted F&CA for approval. Management has also approved an estimate of the increase in the cost of staging the event if it is necessary to play some matches outside Pakistan.” The ICC, however, did not discuss what will be the venue/venues ‘outside Pakistan.’
The CEC note further says, “A planning meeting and inspection of proposed match venues took place in Pakistan in March 2024. A significant amount of renovation work is underway in all three venues to upgrade facilities.” Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi are the earmarked venues and it is learnt that the PCB has undertaken work on refurbishing those three centres.
In terms of budgeting, an estimated $35 million is allocated solely for the competition itself, while there is also an additional set-aside amount of USD 20 million for participation and prizes. Even though, there are about $10 million which will go towards covering costs associated with TV production of the tournament which comprises 15 games played over 20 days.
As was previously reported by Cricbuzz, this budget estimate was made after three days in June when Ankur Khanna, the ICC Chief Financial Officer (CFO), collaborated with Javed Murtuza, PCB’s CFO in Lahore to discuss the matter.
Additionally, it seems that a preliminary timetable has been shared by ICC with the stakeholders, including the broadcasters and all competing teams. Primarily the draft schedule is consistent with what was expected. All of India’s matches will be hosted in Lahore whereby one of them which is much awaited; time against Pakistan is on March 1st (Saturday).
Other than India and Pakistan, Group A also includes Bangladesh and New Zealand. While Group B comprises Australia, England, Afghanistan (among others) as well as South Africa.
India’s other games are planned for February 20 with Bangladesh and February 23 with New Zealand. The competition will start on February 19 in Karachi where Pakistan who are hosts will face the New Zealand team.
The two semifinal matches respectively will be held on March 5 and 6, 2010 in Karachi and Pindi while the final match will take place in Lahore on 9th March 2010 respectively. But as it is understood the venues can be changed depending on the Indian team and the Government of India’s decisions.
An ICC team will come to Pakistan next month to inspect these three venues. A seven-day window, which runs from February 12 to 18, has been declared the ‘support period.’ During this period, teams taking part in the tournament will warm up and do media promotions as per pre-established protocols. The reserve day for the finals is on March 10. Pakistan was crowned champion in 2017 when they last hosted the tournament.
Draft Schedule
Wednesday, February 19 Match 1 NZ v PAK
Thursday, February 20 Match 2 BAN v IND
Friday, February 21 Match 3 AFG v SA
Saturday, February Match 4 AUS v ENG
Sunday, February 23 Match 5 NZ v IND
Monday, February 24 Match 6 PAK v BAN
Tuesday, February 25 Match 7 AFG v ENG
Wednesday, February 26 Match 8 AUS v SA
Thursday, February 27 Match 9 BAN v NZ
Friday, February 28 Match 10 AFG v AUS
Saturday, March 1 Match 11 PAK v IND
Sunday, March 2 Match 12 SA v ENG
Wednesday, March 5 Semi-final 1 — A1 v B2
Thursday, March 6 Semi-final 2 — B1 v A2
Sunday, March 9, 2025 Final
Monday, March 10, 2025 Reserve Day
Tri-series in Multan
Before the Champions Trophy begins, there will be a tri-series hosted by Pakistan which includes South Africa and New Zealand from February 8 to 14. All contests are set to take place in Multan.
Schedule of the tri-series
Pakistan v New Zealand- February 8
New Zealand v South Africa- February 10
Pakistan v South Africa- February 12
Final- February 14
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