NEW DELHI: Pakistan cricket authorities have proposed to the
International Cricket Council
(
ICC
) that India's qualifying round matches during the
Champions Trophy
next year be scheduled exclusively in one city.
The
Pakistan Cricket Board
(
PCB
), set to host the 2025 edition of the prestigious tournament, has selected
Karachi
, Rawalpindi, and
Lahore
as the venues for the event, with Lahore hosting the final match.
This decision aims to streamline logistics and ensure efficient organisation while maximising the tournament's success. By concentrating India's matches in one city, the PCB seeks to enhance the overall experience for players, officials, and spectators alike.
“The ICC general manager
Wasim Khan
also recently visited Lahore where he discussed the CT arrangements with the PCB top brass and it was suggested that the Indian team's travel itinerary be kept to a minimum,” a PCB source informed.
The source further disclosed that India might play its initial qualifying round matches in Karachi before transitioning to other venues for the knockout stages. Notably, the Indian cricket team hasn't competed in Pakistan since 2008, with their cricketing interactions limited solely to ICC tournaments.
In the previous year, the Indian cricket board opted not to send the national team for the Asia Cup, which was ultimately conducted in Pakistan and Sri Lanka using a hybrid model.
PCB chairman
Mohsin Naqvi
has reiterated that all participating teams will honour their commitments to play in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan as scheduled.
Additionally, he revealed that stadium renovation work is set to begin shortly, with the tournament anticipated to take place in February-March 2025.
(With PTI inputs)
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