The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in their desperation to host the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, has reportedly offered the Indian team the option to travel back to Delhi or Chandigarh after every match to quell their issues about security.
These rumors have gained traction after India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar visited Pakistan for the SCO meeting.
Cricbuzz stated that as per reports, the issue of the Indian team traveling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 was brought up during multiple talks between Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar.
Even Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also a government minister, reportedly also joined in.
Whether the Indian team will travel to Pakistan for the eight-nation 50-over event is up to the Indian government.
At this point, neither the BCCI nor the International Cricket Council (ICC) can provide confirmation. However, several important changes have occurred in the aftermath of the Indian minister's visit, one of which concerns timing.
The PCB is reported to have written to the BCCI, offering help if the Indian squad chooses to return to India - either to Chandigarh or New Delhi - after each game rather than staying in Pakistan due to security concerns.
A PCB spokesman acknowledged this arrangement, citing the roughly week-long break between the past two matches.
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, with matches in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. The PCB has planned all of India's matches in Lahore, in view of the logistical ease and security concerns.
Furthermore, Lahore was picked since it is near the border and will be convenient for Indian fans who want to cross across for the matches.
India has three games scheduled: February 20 (against. Bangladesh), February 23 (versus. Pakistan), and March 2 (vs. New Zealand).
The ICC has distributed the program to all stakeholders, including the participating teams. According to national media sources, the broadcaster requested that the ICC shift an India match, notably the India-New Zealand encounter, to a different location.
The PCB has recommended Rawalpindi as an option. However, both the broadcaster and ICC authorities have denied any knowledge of such a request.
The value of the Champions Trophy will drastically come down in case India refuses to participate in the tournament. Hence world cricket requires India to play in the tournament either in Pakistan or at a neutral venue.
In the event that India does not come to Pakistan, the ICC and PCB have discussed contingency measures, including the potential of adopting a hybrid model in which India's games are played in a neutral venue outside Pakistan.
(Cricbuzz report)
