Indian board the Board of Control for Cricket in India or BCCI has clarified that no proposal has been presented to it by PCB about stay arrangements of the Indian cricket team when it would be visiting Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. As stated in a recent report on an Indian sports website, the Pakistan Cricket Board PCB had designed a special travel plan so that India feels secure during its visit.
PCB had reportedly given an assurance to BCCI that India’s cricket team would return to Delhi or Chandigarh from wherever they play a match in Pakistan. Sources in BCCI have said, however, that no such proposal was put before them. They further added that even if it was placed before them, PCB’s proposal to BCCI would not have gone any further as the final decision always lies with the Indian government.
As per the plan devised by PCB for BCCI, India would play all their matches in Lahore, and the PCB hoped that this plan would iron out the security concerns. But if India refuses to come, then the Champions Trophy might opt for the hybrid model where it would look at a venue outside of Pakistan. Between 19 February 2025 and 9 March 2025, the tournament will be played with Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi serving as the proposed venues.
Former prime minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif is said to have backed the PCB’s proposal to the BCCI. “Politicians stand in their way, not the teams,” Sharif said, adding that Indian players would well look forward to returning to Pakistan.
Earlier, the BCCI official repeated multiple times that any decision on participation must be cleared by the government, given that cricketing ties are still bitter.
Pakistan last hosted an ICC major event way back in 1996; the Champions Trophy promises to be a welcome return. The PCB has approached the BCCI as part of its modalities to get the nod from India, but as of now, uncertainty prevails, with all set to be decided by the politicians and the government.
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