Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shared an interesting solution for the Indian cricket team’s matches in Champions Trophy 2025.
According to ‘Urdupoint’, PCB has suggested that the Indian team can go back home after every match
Meanwhile, Indian media is claiming that there has been a proposal to hold India’s three pool matches at two venues during the event.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) broadcasters, who are also broadcasters of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), suggested that having matches at two venues will increase the broadcast and event value. PCB has no objection to holding matches at two venues and suggested Rawalpindi as the second venue, claimed Indian media.
Earlier, the PCB had suggested only one venue in Lahore for India due to travel issues, but the broadcaster has suggested adding another venue.
In the proposed schedule, India’s three matches were scheduled in Lahore.
The high-voltage clash between Pakistan and India is scheduled for March 1, while Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh have been placed in Group A according to the proposed schedule.
Champion Trophy 2025 and India’s participation:
The Champion Trophy is scheduled for February of next year in Pakistan. All teams have confirmed their arrival, while India’s participation is yet to be confirmed.
In July, Indian media claimed that India would not visit Pakistan for the event, saying that some matches of the Champions Trophy would be held in the United Arab Emirates or Sri Lanka on a hybrid model.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice president Rajeev Shukla denied these claims, saying that the Indian government would make the final decision.
The Telegraph Report on Champion Trophy:
UK publication ‘The Telegraph’ has reported that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering different venues for India’s matches, including the final of the trophy. The final could be shifted from Lahore to Dubai. The final is scheduled to be played in Gadafi Stadium in Lahore on March 9, 2025.
Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are likely to host India’s matches if needed, The Telegraph has reported.
ICC chief executive’s statement about Champions Trophy:
On September 12, ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice confirmed now that there are no plans to move the Champions Trophy from Pakistan.
He said, “No team has hesitated to play in the tournament. All teams are committed to playing in Pakistan. Despite previous challenges, all participating teams are determined to play in Pakistan.”
The ICC Champions Trophy will host eight elite teams based on their performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup: India, Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
Pakistan is currently the defending champion of the Champions Trophy. The Pakistan cricket team, led by former captain Sarfraz Ahmed, won the Trophy in England in 2017, defeating India in the final.
