PCB reluctant to move ICC Champions Trophy final out of Lahore

New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reluctant to move the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 even though they might make adjustment for split-hosting of the eight-team tournament, as suggested by recent reports. The PCB wants the final to be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Although Pakistan was awarded the hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy, a tournament scheduled between February and March next year, uncertainty looms over the Asian nation getting to host the full-fledged quadrennial tournament with India unwilling to travel to their neighbouring nation.

The Indian government’s refusal to send its men’s cricket team to Pakistan isn’t strange after last year’s Asia Cup was staged in a hybrid model where Sri Lanka and Pakistan hosted it, though the latter was named the sole host initially for the continental event. All matches of the Indian team were played in Sri Lanka, including the final in Colombo.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to hold the tournament in a hybrid model and relocate their matches to either Sri Lanka or Dubai, like the Asia Cup, last year. The decision over hosting the Champions Trophy final will be decided in the ICC Board members’ meet in Dubai from October 18 to 21.

“The PCB’s first choice and priority is to host entire Champions Trophy in Pakistan and they are counting on this 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 UAE,” a PCB source said, as reported by news agency PTI.

“But the PCB has decided even in the event of India not playing in Pakistan they want the final to 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 added.

PCB to submit cost of renovations before ICC

The three iconic venues of Pakistan in Karachi (National Stadium), Lahore (Gaddafi Stadium) and Rawalpindi (Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium) are currently being renovated with increasing of seating capacity is on the top priority apart from better infrastructure facility for the fans.

The source claimed that 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.

“They will submit the details including the highest budget of around 7 billion earmarked for renovation work at the stadium in Lahore,” the source added.

He also said that Naqvi will make it clear at the ICC meeting that even if India can’t come for the entire tournament to Pakistan they must play the final in Lahore if they qualify.

“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,” he added.

According to the source, the PCB wants some clarity from its counterparts from the BCCI in their upcoming meeting. The BCCI’s progress on clearance from government to send the team will also be sought by the PCB.

(With inputs from PTI)