PCB makes bizarre proposal to BCCI about allowing India to return home in between 2025 Champions Trophy matches: Reports
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly made a bizarre proposal to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to try and convince India to play the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Apparently, the PCB has proposed an arrangement to the BCCI as per which India can return to either New Delhi or Chandigarh in between their matches.
There is a lot of uncertainty around India's participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy. The Indian team hasn't visited Pakistan since 2008 and the two sides haven't played a bilateral series since 2012 owing to strained relations between the two Asian countries.
As per a report in news agency PTI, the PCB has 'verbally' suggested to the BCCI that the Men in Blue can stay in either New Delhi or Chandigarh/Mohali and make use of chartered flights to travel to Lahore for their 2025 Champions Trophy matches. PTI quoted a source as saying:
"But yes it is true that these options have been discussed verbally between officials as a way to ensure that India plays its matches in Pakistan."
The report further added that Pakistan has scheduled India's matches in Lahore due to 'its proximity to the Indian border and logistical ease'. The 2025 Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. India's group matches are slated to be played on February 20 (vs Bangladesh), February 23 (vs Pakistan), and March 2 (vs New Zealand).
As per some other media reports, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is also exploring the possibility of holding the 2025 Champions Trophy in a hybrid model, considering India's reluctance to visit Pakistan. Incidentally, Pakistan hosted the 2023 Asia Cup, but India played all their matches, including the final, in Sri Lanka.
PCB extremely keen on holding 2025 Champions Trophy final in Lahore: Reports
Even amid the uncertainty over India's participation, the PCB is reportedly adamant that the Champions Trophy final must be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore come what may. Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi are the three venues that have been finalized for the one-day tournament in which Pakistan are the defending champions. PTI quoted a PCB source as saying that:
"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."
Pakistan hammered Team India by 180 runs in the 2017 Champions Trophy final held at The Oval. Fakhar Zaman (114 off 106) was the Player of the Match, while pacers Mohammad Amir and Hasan Ali claimed three wickets each.