India’s presence in the nation for the next Champions Trophy 2025, which Pakistan is scheduled to host, was strongly emphasised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The International Cricket Council (ICC) is said to have made the final decision after the PCB made numerous declarations defying the BCCI’s (the Board of Control for Cricket in India) desire for an impartial location.
News18 reports that issues over the tournament’s schedule and structure were discussed outside of the latest ICC conference in Colombo.
The source close to PCB said that the board has recommended that all of the Indian team’s games take place in Lahore. It is noteworthy to mention that India has not travelled to the adjacent nation since the 2008 Asia Cup, following the terrorist assault on Mumbai that year, which was carried out by radicals from Pakistan.
“How quickly they distribute, deliberate, and decide on the Champions Trophy schedule is now up to the ICC. As part of the draft schedule, the PCB recommended holding all of India’s matches—including the semifinal and final, should India advance—at Lahore, a source cited in the story claimed.
No official statement on going to Pakistan from BCCI
The person with knowledge of the meeting claims that there was no official communication between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah in Colombo. But in case the Indian team needs to play at a neutral location, the ICC has set aside the additional cash. But BCCI is determined to visit Pakistan only after receiving approval from the Indian government.
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India made it to the final of the 2008 Asia Cup but lost to Sri Lanka in the penultimate match. This was their only previous visit to Pakistan. Pakistan was supposed to host the most recent Asia Cup in 2023, but because India refused to send players, a hybrid format was used, with India hosting all of its matches in Sri Lanka.