ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB Proposes Single City Venue for India's Matches

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In a recent move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has recommended to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India's preliminary matches for the upcoming Champions Trophy be held in a single city to minimise travel.

The PCB is set to host the next edition of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, with Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore selected as the venues. Lahore is also slated to host the final.

According to a PCB source, discussions were held during a visit by ICC General Manager Wasim Khan to Lahore, focusing on the logistical arrangements for the tournament.

"The ICC general manager Wasim Khan also recently visited Lahore where he discussed the CT arrangements with the PCB top brass and it was suggested that the Indian team's travel itinerary be kept to a minimum," the source informed PTI.

The proposal entails having the Indian cricket team play all its qualifying round matches in Karachi before moving on to other venues for the knockout stages. This suggestion comes as part of efforts to streamline operations and enhance security, given the sensitive nature of Indo-Pak cricket relations.

India has not played cricket in Pakistan since 2008, with political tensions often precluding bilateral series. The teams have only faced each other in ICC events or multi-nation tournaments since then.

Notably, the PCB had to adapt the format of the last year's Asia Cup, which was originally scheduled to be held entirely in Pakistan. Due to India's non-participation on Pakistani soil, the tournament was conducted in a hybrid model across Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi affirmed that the Champions Trophy would proceed as planned with all participating teams playing in Pakistan. He also noted that renovations for the stadiums intended to host the matches are set to begin soon, ensuring they are in prime condition for the event scheduled for February-March 2025.

This development underscores the ongoing challenges and complexities in managing cricket events involving India and Pakistan, reflecting broader geopolitical dynamics. The PCB's initiative to limit travel for the Indian team highlights a pragmatic approach to logistics, aiming to facilitate smooth operations while addressing security concerns effectively.