The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly made a surprising proposal to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to persuade India to participate in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The PCB has suggested that India could return to either New Delhi or Chandigarh between their matches.
There is significant uncertainty regarding India’s participation in the tournament, as the Indian team has not visited Pakistan since 2008, and the two nations haven’t played a bilateral series since 2012 due to strained relations.
According to a PTI report, the PCB has “verbally” proposed that the Indian team stay in New Delhi or Chandigarh/Mohali and use chartered flights to travel to Lahore for their matches in the 2025 Champions Trophy. PTI cited a source as saying:
“But yes it is true that these options have been discussed verbally between officials as a way to ensure that India plays its matches in Pakistan.”
The report also noted that Pakistan has arranged for India’s matches to take place in Lahore because of its closeness to the Indian border and logistical convenience.
The 2025 Champions Trophy is set to occur in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, with India’s group matches scheduled for February 20 (against Bangladesh), February 23 (against Pakistan), and March 2 (against New Zealand).
PCB has offered HUGE ASSISTANCE to India for Champions Trophy 2025.
If India are concerned about their security, they can return either to Chandigarh or New Delhi after each game. pic.twitter.com/Wpevj0lTmM
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) October 18, 2024
According to other media reports, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is looking into the option of a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy, given India’s hesitation to travel to Pakistan. Notably, Pakistan hosted the 2023 Asia Cup, but India played all their matches, including the final, in Sri Lanka.
Reports indicate that the PCB is very eager to host the 2025 Champions Trophy final in Lahore
Despite the uncertainty surrounding India’s participation, the PCB is reportedly firm that the Champions Trophy final must take place at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi have been confirmed as the three venues for the one-day tournament, where Pakistan is the defending champion. PTI quoted a PCB source stating that:
“The PCB has decided even in the event of India not playing in Pakistan they want the final to be held in Lahore. Even if India qualifies for the final the PCB wants the ICC to hold the match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.”
Pakistan defeated Team India by 180 runs in the 2017 Champions Trophy final at The Oval. Fakhar Zaman, who scored 114 off 106 balls, was named Player of the Match, while fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali each took three wickets.
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