There is a lot of anticipation surrounding around the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, slated to be held in Pakistan early next year.

While the tournament is nearly nine months away, Pakistan cricket authorities have proposed to the ICC that India's qualifying round matches be kept in one city.

The PCB has earmarked Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore as the venues for the event, with Lahore hosting the title clash.

This decision aims to ensure that the tournament gets conducted efficiently. By proposing India's matches in one city, the PCB wants 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 quoted as saying by PTI.

The source further claimed that India might play its initial qualifying round matches in Karachi before travelling to other cities for the knockout fixtures.

Notably, the Indian cricket team hasn't played on Pakistan soil in Pakistan since 2008, with their cricketing encounters limited solely to ICC events.

Last year, the BCCI refused to send the national team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, which was ultimately conducted using a hybrid model. The Men in Blue played all their matches in Sri Lanka and went on to win the continental tournament.

Meanwhile, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has maintained that all participating teams would play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan as schedule.

Moreover, Naqvi informed that stadium renovation work is set to commence shortly, with the tournament expected to take place in February-March 2025.

(With PTI inputs)