New Delhi: An International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation is scheduled to visit Pakistan this month for ascertaining the preparations for the Champions Trophy 2025 and also discuss the tentative schedule of the big event with the Pakistan Cricket Board. However, it is not yet certain that how many ICC officials will be visiting Pakistan and which departments they would be representing but indications were the schedule would be discussed in detail.
Earlier, the PCB had sent a tentative schedule to the ICC sometime back in which they had suggested making Lahore as the base for the Indian cricket team. A source close to the development confirmed to news agency PTI that the schedule has now been seen by the participating boards in the Champions Trophy and there is still some left before it gets the final signal and is announced.
Will Team India travel to Pakistan?
The source further said that the reason for the delay is the uncertainty of Team India’s participation in the tournament if the event is staged in Pakistan. India have not been travelling to Pakistan since over a decade due to the political tensions between both the nations. A final decision on whether the Indian team would be permitted by its government to play in Pakistan will decide the fate of the tournament.
In the Asia Cup 2023, India refused to travel to Pakistan citing political tensions and subsequently, the event had to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka. The ICC delegation will inspect the ongoing development work at the Champions Trophy venues Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi besides holding meetings with security officials and also revisiting broadcasting arrangements, team hotels and travel itineraries.
With BCCI secretary Jay Shah set to take over as ICC chairman from December 1, the source said the Champions Trophy schedule would be released late, like in last year’s World Cup in India.
(With PTI inputs)
Members of International Cricket Council (ICC) will travel to Pakistan to discuss the schedule of the Champions Trophy 2025. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
