There is a lot of speculation around Team India’s participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, slated to be held in Pakistan early next year.
The cricket boards of both nations have stayed mum on this matter, but rumours are rife that the Men in Blue won't be travelling to Pakistan for the marquee event. It is also reported that the BCCI has requested the ICC to either change the venue for the tournament or schedule India's matches in Dubai or Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, a report published in The Express Tribune on Sunday (July 14) claimed that the cricket’s global governing body has started exploring alternatives in case BCCI refuses to send its team across the border.
Discussions regarding India’s concerns over not traveling to Pakistan could be held during the upcoming ICC annual conference to be held in Colombo from July 19 to 22.
The report further suggested that a “contingency budget” is being considered for the Champions Trophy games to be played outside of Pakistan with Dubai a likely venue.
As per one of the proposals, the matches could be divided between Karachi and Dubai to make travel hassle free. However, Lahore and Rawalpindi as venues can’t be ruled out of the picture.
The 2023 edition of Asia Cup, which was supposed to take place in Pakistan entirely, was played in a hybrid model with India playing their matches in Sri Lanka as the BJP government refused to permit the players' travel across the border.
In the scenario of hybrid model getting adopted for the Champions Trophy, there’s a chance that one of the semi-final matches and the final could also be taken away from Pakistan.
As per the drafted schedule, Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy from February 19 to March 9. Apart from the host nation, India, Australia, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Afghanistan are the eligible teams for the competition.
According to reports, India have been slotted with Pakistani in Group A, also featuring Bangladesh and New Zealand. Group B comprises Australia, South Africa, England and Afghanistan.
The eight-nation tournament will mark a major cricket event in Pakistan as the country last co-hosted the World Cup with India and Sri Lanka in 1996.
