The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday (July 3) drafted the schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025 and submitted it to the International Cricket Council (ICC), PTI reported.
According to the report, Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi will host all 15 matches of the showpiece tournament, slated to get underway on February 19. The competition will run till March 9, with March 10 designated as a Reserve Day.
The PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was reportedly invited to watch the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 final in Barbados, where he submitted the tentative schedule of the Champions Trophy.
As per the draft, Pakistan will host arch-rivals India in Lahore on March 1. India's group-stage fixtures will take place in Lahore due to security and logistical reasons. However, the BCCI is yet to take a call on sending its team to Pakistan.
"The PCB has submitted the draft of the 15-match ICC Champions Trophy. Seven games in Lahore, three in Karachi and five in Rawalpindi," an ICC Board member said, as quoted by PTI.
"The opening match will be held in Karachi with two semifinals in Karachi and Rawalpindi, final in Lahore. All India matches (including semifinal if the team qualifies) in Lahore," the source added.
Team India have been slotted with Pakistani n Group A, also featuring Bangladesh and New Zealand. Group B comprises Australia, South Africa, England and Afghanistan.
India haven't played Pakistan in bilateral cricket since a home limited-overs series in 2012, with their last meeting in Tests dating back to 2007. In this period, they've only clashed in multi-nation tournaments such as the World Cup and the Asia Cup.
As far as India’s last visit to Pakistan is concerned, it was way back in 2008 for the Asia Cup. The 2023 edition of Asia Cup, which was supposed take place in Pakistan entirely, was played in a hybrid model because of BCCI’s refusal to send its team there. India had played all their matches in Sri Lanka and went on to win the continental tournament.
The BCCI has always maintained that the Indian team will tour Pakistan only if allowed by the central government.
"All board chiefs of the ICC Champions Trophy participating countries (minus BCCI) have assured him of their complete support but BCCI will consult its government and update the ICC," the source added.
The ICC find itself in a tough spot as it 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.
(With PTI Inputs)
