Pakistan Ready For India's Champions Trophy Refusal, PCB Determined To Host Final IN Lahore: Report
Photo : AP
India’s participation in the Champions Trophy remains in doubt. Pakistan will host the next ICC showpiece event and there hasn’t been any confirmation whether the Indian team will travel next year to participate in the tournament.
The last time India travelled to Pakistan was back in 2008 when MS Dhoni led the side to take part in the Asia Cup. Since then India haven’t crossed the border, but Pakistan featured in a number of ICC events held in India since then.
Pakistan also were forced to organise the Asia Cup in a hybrid model back in 2023 as the Indian team refused to travel to the country and Sri Lanka hosted India’s matches including the final.
Now it has emerged that the Pakistan Cricket Board are ready to concede that India won’t be travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. As per PTI, PCB won’t be moving the final from Lahore even if India manage to secure a place in the summit clash.
A PCB source told PTI, "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.
"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.”
Things could become even clearer after the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) board members meet in Dubai from October 18 to 21. All the stadiums are being renovated and the report also mentioned that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer will submit all the cost details to ICC.
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