New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s concerns continue to intensify with each passing day amid the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s reluctance to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan are the official host of the tournament which is set to be played in February next year, however, the entire competition being staged in the country remains uncertain due to BCCI’s stand.
After reports went viral on Wednesday that the Champions Trophy 2025 final might be shifted out of Lahore if India reaches the summit clash, a fresh report has claimed that ICC is considering all options as far as the venue of the tournament is concerned. ICC is looking at the option of shifting the entire tournament out of Pakistan to a neutral venue.
As per Sports Tak, the hosting rights of the Champions Trophy will remain with the Pakistan Cricket Board, however, the ICC is preparing three different budgets for three models. While the original option is to keep the tournament in Pakistan, ICC is also looking at moving the entire tournament out of Pakistan or sticking to a hybrid model.
As per the report, UAE, Sri Lanka and South Africa are the three countries in consideration if the entire tournament is moved out of Pakistan. Meanwhile, UAE will host all of India’s matches, including the semi-finals and the final (if India qualify) if the tournament is hosted in a hybrid model.
With the Indian government yet to give clearance to let Team India travel to Pakistan, a hybrid model and shifting the tournament entirely are the two options being considered strongly by the ICC. Budgets have been prepared accordingly keeping all three options in mind.
Decision expected in November
As per the report, a final decision on the venue for the Champions Trophy 2025 is not expected before mid-November. Despite no confirmation from the BCCI on the Indian team’s travel plans, the PCB continues to deny reports of the tournament being played in a hybrid model or shifted out of Pakistan.
A PCB spokesperson on Wednesday said that the reports of the final being moved from Lahore to Dubai were false and that the preparations are underway in Pakistan to host the entire tournament.
The ICC is reportedly exploring all options as far as the venue for the Champions Trophy 2025 is concerned. The ICC might shift the entire tournament from Pakistan or conduct it in a hybrid model amid BCCI’s refusal to send the Indian team to Pakistan. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
