New Delhi: Pakistan is all set to host the Champions Trophy 2025. However, the tournament’s fate remains uncertain amid the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s reluctance to send the Indian team to the neighbouring nation for the tournament. With the bilateral ties suspended between the two countries, India have not toured Pakistan since 2008 and have refused to travel to the country even for major tournaments.
The BCCI has maintained a strict stance on not allowing the Indian team to play in Pakistan amid political tensions between the two countries. The Indian cricket board is reportedly unlikely to send Rohit Sharma & Co. to Pakistan once again for the Champions Trophy 2025 due to security concerns. BCCI secretary Jay Shah recently opened up on India’s stance.
Amid reports that BCCI will not send the Indian team to Pakistan, Shah revealed no decision has been made yet and that a call will be taken at the right time. BCCI has always maintained that it will need the Indian government’s approval to send the team to Pakistan.
“No decision has been finalised yet,” Jay Shah told the Times of India.
“No stand as of now. We will cross the bridge when it comes,” he added.
Pakistan is all set to host the Champions Trophy for the first time in February next year and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already submitted the proposed schedule of the tournament to the ICC. As per the proposed schedule, all of India’s matches have been scheduled in Lahore for the ease of the Indian team in terms of travel and logistics.
However, BCCI is yet to give its approval to the ICC on the draft schedule and is yet to confirm if the Indian team will be travelling to Pakistan for the multi-nation tournament next year. As per reports, ICC has allocated a budget of USD 70 million to the PCB to host the Champions Trophy next year and has also allocated an additional USD 4.5 million.
The additional funds have been kept aside reportedly in case India refuses to travel to Pakistan and their matches have to be shifted to a different venue.
Jay Shah’s comments increase headache for PCB
Shah’s latest comments have once again increased PCB’s headache as it remains uncertain whether India will travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. The preparations are in full swing in Pakistan for the tournament with the PCB allocating PKR 12.80 billion for the degradation of three venues – Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Arena and Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium for the tournament.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah has cleared his stance on whether the board will send the Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next year. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
