The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Mohsin Naqvi was invited for the recently concluded T20 World Cup final in Barbados where he submitted the 15-match schedule for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
In a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), the tournament is slated to begin from February 19 to March 9 with the 10th being held as a reserve day.
While the PCB chairman has handed in the schedule, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to give their consent to the tentative schedule as per the report.
The games have been divided between three venues; Seven games in Lahore, three in Karachi and five in Rawalpindi. The opening game will be held in Karachi. The semi-finals will be divided between Karachi and Rawalpindi with the final taking place in Lahore.
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All of India’s games have also been set to take place in Lahore which includes the semi-final should India qualify.
“The PCB has submitted the draft of the 15-match ICC Champions Trophy. Seven games in Lahore, three in Karachi and five in Rawalpindi,” an ICC Board member said.
“The opening match will be held in Karachi with two semifinals in Karachi and Rawalpindi, final in Lahore. All India matches (including semifinal if the team qualifies) in Lahore,” the source added.
India’s grouping is also revealed in the tournament. They are in Group A along with Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand while the likes of Australia, South Africa, England and Afghanistan form Group B.
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The ICC head of events, Chris Tetley had met Naqvi in Islamabad where the ICC’s security team had inspected the venues and arrangements as well.
The last time Pakistan hosted a tournament was the Asia Cup 2023 but had to settle with a ‘Hybrid Model’ with the Indian team playing all their games in Sri Lanka after the government denied the permits to travel across the border.
“All board chiefs of the ICC Champions Trophy participating countries (minus BCCI) have assured him of their complete support but BCCI will consult its government and update the ICC,” the source added.
The ICC, on its part, can’t force any Board to go against its government policy and it will be interesting to see as to when BCCI takes a final call on the matter.
(with PTI Inputs)
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