Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan Bows to BCCI Pressure… India’s Matches to be Held in UAE!
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has secured hosting rights for the 2025 Champions Trophy, has already submitted a tentative schedule to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
According to this schedule, a match between India and Pakistan is set for March 1 in Lahore, with the final match also scheduled to take place in Lahore on March 9.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated that the Indian team’s participation in Pakistan is contingent on government approval.
Fearing significant financial losses if India were to opt out of the tournament, the PCB has reportedly made a strategic move.
The PCB is prepared to make minor adjustments to the schedule if the Indian government does not permit their team to travel to Pakistan.
In such a scenario, India’s matches could potentially be played in Dubai or Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This information was revealed by reliable PCB sources, as reported by PTI.
To mitigate any complications that may arise from hosting the tournament in a hybrid format, the ICC has proactively prepared for this possibility.
Should India’s matches need to be held in another country, the necessary funds have already been allocated in the tournament’s budget.
A precedent for this approach was set during the 2023 Asia Cup when matches scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan were held in Sri Lanka for the Indian team.
The PCB seems poised to follow a similar arrangement, moving India’s games to the UAE if necessary.
Also Read: KKR Star Rinku Singh Purchases Luxury Home in Aligarh, Holds Housewarming Ceremony