When BCCI makes a final decision on the issue will be interesting to watch.
According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is willing to make “adjustments” to the schedule of the 2025 Champions Trophy, which it is hosting, with matches involving India taking place in the United Arab Emirates. This appears to be a reversal of its previously stated stance. Given the current sociopolitical climate and national team security concerns, the Indian government is unlikely to permit its team to travel to Pakistan, which could mean that the tournament will be held using the “Hybrid Model.”
The Asia Cup, which was held in 2023 under a “Hybrid Model” with India playing their matches in Sri Lanka because the government would not allow the players to cross the border, was the last tournament that Pakistan hosted.
“The PCB believes that minor schedule changes can be made even if the Indian government does not approve the tour to Pakistan, since India would most likely play its matches in Dubai or Sharjah,” a trustworthy PCB source told PTI.
The International Cricket Council (ICC), on its part, can’t force any board to go against its government policy and it will be interesting to see as to when BCCI takes a final call on the matter. India’s Jay Shah will chair the ICC by the time the final decision is probably made.
Since some of the world governing body’s top officials are scheduled to return to Lahore next week, the PCB is pressuring the ICC to release the tournament schedule by then.
“The PCB wants the same schedule to be announced on November 11 and has discussed with the ICC the tentative schedule that they sent a few months ago,” the source stated.
It has informed the ICC that there is no reason to postpone the release of a preliminary schedule of matches because a backup plan with an updated budget is already in place. According to him, the PCB has also requested that the ICC pressure the BCCI to confirm whether or not they will send a team to Pakistan for the event in February or March of the following year.
“Whether they receive approval from their government or not to send their team to Pakistan, the PCB wants the BCCI to provide in writing,” the source stated.
The PCB’s tentative schedule states that the Champions Trophy match between India and Pakistan, who are bitter rivals, will take place in Lahore on March 1 of the following year.
Pakistan will play New Zealand in Karachi on February 19, 2025, to kick off the tournament. Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the final on March 9.
For logistical and security reasons, all of India’s matches have been held in Lahore, as per the provisional schedule.
According to sources, the PCB is investing almost 13 billion rupees to upgrade the stadiums where the CT matches will be played in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.