Champions Trophy: Pakistan ready to give up its stubbornness, India can play its matches in UAE…

Karachi. Pakistan Cricket Board has agreed to give up its insistence on hosting the ICC Champions Trophy. The Pakistan Board (PCB), retreating from its previous stand, is ready to make changes in the schedule of Champions Trophy 2025. Under the changed schedule, India’s matches can be held in UAE. According to sources, the ICC Champions Trophy could be held in a ‘hybrid model’ as the Indian government is unlikely to allow its team to travel to Pakistan due to security reasons.

The last time Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup in 2023, it was also held in a ‘hybrid model’ with India playing its matches in Sri Lanka as the government refused to allow players to travel across the border. Was. A reliable source in the PCB said, “The PCB feels that even if the Indian government does not approve the Pakistan tour, some changes can be made in the schedule as there is every possibility that India will play its matches in Dubai or Sharjah.”

The International Cricket Council (ICC), on its part, cannot force any board to go against its government policy. It will be interesting to see when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) takes the final decision in this matter. When the final decision is likely to be taken, the ICC will be headed by India’s Jay Shah.

Meanwhile, the PCB is pressurizing the ICC to announce the tournament schedule by next week as some top officials of the global governing body are scheduled to visit Lahore again next week. “The PCB has discussed with the ICC the possible schedule that they had sent a few months ago and wants the same schedule to be announced on November 11,” the source said.

The source said the PCB has also asked the ICC to press the BCCI to confirm whether they will send their team to Pakistan for the competition to be held in February-March next year. The source said, “PCB wants BCCI to give in writing whether they have received permission from their government to send their team to Pakistan or not.”

According to the temporary schedule proposed by the PCB, the Champions Trophy match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is to be held in Lahore on March 1 next year. The tournament will start on 19 February 2025, with the first match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi. The final will be held on March 9 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. According to the temporary schedule, due to security and logistical reasons, all India’s matches have been kept in Lahore only. According to sources, PCB is spending around Rs 13 billion on refurbishing its stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi where the Champions Trophy matches are to be held.

tag: champions trophy, pakistan cricket board