The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is slated to be held in Pakistan but speculations are rife if the tournament could be shifted out of the country or will be organised in hybrid manner like 2023 Asia Cup should India refuse to travel across the border for the event.
Last year, the BCCI cited denial of permission from Indian government as the reason behind not sending its men’s team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. Eventually, the continental tournament was held across Pakistan and Sri Lanka with the majority of matches being played in the island nation.
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Now, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has said he’s confident that the Champions Trophy will be held as originally planned.
“I am not even thinking on those lines we are confident. We will host the Champions Trophy on schedule in Pakistan,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Last week, Naqvi met with BCCI secretary Jay Shah on the sidelines of an ICC meeting in Dubai.
“Yes we spoke for a while and it was cordial but it would be unwise to divulge details of what was discussed,” Naqvi said.
Recently PTI reported that the ICC will not ask India to defy any government policy that bars travel to Pakistan.
Naqvi revealed that three stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi have been shortlisted as the venues for the Champions Trophy matches and they will undergo renovation.
“Even as I speak plans have been drawn up and work will begin soon on these three stadiums to give the fans the best experience of watching the matches at the venues,” he said.
India have not engaged in bilateral cricket with Pakistan since the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, in which over 150 people were killed. The last time an Indian cricket team travelled to Pakistan was the Asia Cup in June-July of 2008.
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