ICC's big move suggests India matches in Champions Trophy 2025 will not be played in Pakistan

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ICC has approved a USD 65 million budget for Champions Trophy 2025 and with it gave a big hint that India might not be travelling to Pakistan for the right-team event.

As per a Cricbuzz report, ICC recently approved a budget of approximately 65 million US dollar at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Colombo. The budget has considered the increase in cost of hosting the event if India deny travelling to Pakistan for the ICC event. However, the ICC did not discuss what will be the venue/venues 'outside Pakistan.'

"PCB has signed Host Agreement and has worked with management to draft an event budget which is submitted F&CA for approval. Management has also approved an estimate of the increase in the cost of staging the event if it is necessary to play some matches outside Pakistan," the Chief Executives Committee (CEC) approval note states as per Cricbuzz.

"A planning meeting and inspection of proposed match venues took place in Pakistan in March 2024. A significant amount of renovation work is underway in all three venues to upgrade facilities." Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi are the earmarked venues and it is learnt that the PCB has undertaken work on refurbishing those three centres," says the CEC note further.

Meanwhile, the ICC has also shared a draft schedule with stakeholders, including broadcasters and all participating teams. All the India matches have been given to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The big ticket India vs Pakistan match has been scheduled for Saturday, March 1.

As per the draft, India will face Bangladesh in Group A match on February 20, and New Zealand on 23. The tournament will kick off with the Pakistan vs New Zealand match on February 19 at the National Stadium in Karachi. Rawalpindi is the third and last Pakistan venue shortlisted for the Champions Trophy 2025.

The draft schedule is out, and there is no official statement yet, however the ICC is preparing itself for all the possibilities which could come their way as Pakistan gears up to host their first global cricket event since 1996.