NEW DELHI: The
Pakistan Cricket Board
on Monday finalised three cities - Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi - to host the
Champions Trophy
matches in 2023.
The board remains adamant about keeping the tournament within the country's borders, despite ongoing rumors suggesting a potential 'hybrid model' to accommodate India's participation.
Last time, the Champions Trophy was hosted by England -- in 2017.
The upcoming edition is tentatively scheduled to take place in February-March next year.
India have not yet confirmed participation and there is speculation that the ICC could use the 'Hybrid Model' and hold the country's matches at a neutral venue if the team does not get government clearance to travel. The ICC has already made it clear that it will not ask any member nation to defy government policy.
"We've sent the schedule for the matches in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy," PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said at a press conference in Lahore.
"The ICC's security team came and we had a very good meeting. They looked at arrangements here and we'll also share stadium upgrade plans with them.
"We are trying to ensure we host a very good tournament in Pakistan," Naqvi informed.
The PCB has been steadfast in insisting that the tournament will not be altered in any way to accommodate India.
The 'Hybrid Model' of hosting was used in the Asia Cup last year. The Asian Cricket Council, headed by
BCCI
secretary Jay Shah, held India's matches in Sri Lanka even though Pakistan was the official host of the tournament.
Naqvi also conceded that condition of all three proposed venues is currently sub-standard in terms of hosting international games of cricket.
"If you look at Gaddafi (here), it is good but the viewing experience is not great for cricket. Football maybe, not cricket," Naqvi said.
"We need to improve facilities in the stadiums, where there are some old problems. Karachi is in bad shape. So on May 7, we will finalise bids from international companies who will come and help us design.
"We are already late but we need to do these upgrades in four-five months. It will be a very tough test but we can do it.," Naqvi concluded.
(With inputs from PTI)
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