The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made it clear that it is not willing to move the Champions Trophy final out of Lahore, even if India qualifies for the title clash. The PCB’s stance on hosting the final is set to be debated when the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board members meet in Dubai from October 18 to 21
SOURCE : ZEE
The PCB is mentally prepared for India’s potential refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, but it remains adamant that the final must be held in Lahore. “The PCB’s first choice and priority is to host the entire Champions Trophy in Pakistan, and they are counting on this,” a PCB source said. “But internally, the Board is also mentally prepared to hear about the Indian government not allowing its team to play in Pakistan and India’s matches being held in the UAE,” the source added.
Source:- bbc news
Despite the possibility of India not participating in the tournament, the PCB has decided that the final should still be held in Lahore. “Even if India qualifies for the final, the PCB wants the ICC to hold the match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore,” the source said. The PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer will be submitting details of the costs the PCB is bearing to renovate and upgrade the stadiums in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore for the Champions Trophy.
The seating capacity at the Gaddafi Stadium is being increased, and the PCB is committed to hosting the final in Lahore. “All this talk that the ICC Champions Trophy might be altogether moved to another location has also bothered the PCB, and they will discuss this as Naqvi is adamant that Pakistan will host the event,” the source added.
The bilateral cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have been frozen since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, and the BCCI may request the ICC to hold the tournament in a hybrid model and relocate their matches to either Sri Lanka or Dubai, like the Asia Cup last year. However, the PCB remains firm on its decision to host the final in Lahore
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 9, 2025, with matches planned in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. Pakistan has been placed in Group A alongside India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand for the tournament, and the PCB has proposed holding all of India’s games in Lahore.
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