The PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) breaks silence by denying the reports by the Telegraph regarding the change in venue of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final match. Especially, the news spread like wildfire due to the ongoing political issues between the two countries, stating that the finals would be shifted from Lahore to Dubai if the Indian cricket team managed to qualify for the epic clash. Additionally, the reports suggested that the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy might face relocation.
The 9th season of the Champions Trophy is scheduled to start on February 19 and the final is confirmed to take place on March 9, with three main venues assigned as the tournament’s hosts namely Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.
At the same time, a few reports point out that India’s matches will be scheduled in the UAE (United Arab Emirates). However, the PCB’s spokesperson stated that they are confident Pakistan will host all the matches including the final. Meanwhile, the PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi clarified a few more facts about the tournament’s course of action.
Also, there is still uncertainty surrounding India’s participation in the tournament, as the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has yet to officially confirm whether the team will travel to Pakistan. In recent times, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla said that India’s tour to Pakistan depends upon the present situation and requires confirmation from the Indian government.
Since the Asia Cup in July 2008, India hasn’t traveled to Pakistan. Due to deteriorating political relationships, the bilateral series and tournaments have been disrupted on Pakistani soil. These scenarios raise concerns that India’s involvement in the Champions Trophy might once again be called into question, which might prompt the ICC (International Cricket Council) to implement logistical changes.
No Bilateral Series Played Between India and Pakistan Over a Decade
It was in late December 2012 to early January 2013, that India last played the bilateral home series against Pakistan. After the Mumbai terror attacks on 26th November 2008, Team India neither allowed the Pakistani players to participate in the further editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL) nor traveled to their nation.
Also, the Indo-Pak clash was limited only to the ICC and ACC tournaments, hosted outside Pakistan.
PCB put an end to rumors about the Champions Trophy 2025 final shifting from Pakistan
The PCB made clear its commitment to solely host the Champions Trophy 2025 within the nation stating that:
“Exactly! Even after the continuing political tensions between India and Pakistan, the PCB continues to stay with its decision to guarantee a smooth and non-stop tournament.
Also, you need to know that there isn’t any truth to the reports provided that the Champions Trophy final could be shifted outside Pakistan. We are working tirelessly to guarantee that all the preparations for the tournament take place in full swing. Mainly, we are confident that Pakistan will be able to host a successful ICC event,” the PCB spokesperson clarified.
PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi about Pakistan Hosting Champions Trophy: A Confident Statement
Mohsin Naqvi claimed that the PCB is confident enough to neither cancel nor postpone the plans to host the Champions Trophy 2025:
“Hopefully! The Indian cricket team should arrive in Pakistan. I don’t observe them (PCB) canceling or postponing the tournament, and we are pleased that we have an opportunity to host all the teams at the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The stadiums will soon get ready to host the matches as per the schedule and any remaining works related to renovations will be carried out after the tournament. Overall, it is assured that we are going to play the match in a brand-new stadium,” Mohsin Naqvi said.
Rajeev Shukla About Champions Trophy 2025: Will India Travel to Pakistan for ICC’s prestigious tournament?
Rajeev Shukla commented on India’s possible participation in the forthcoming tournament hosted by Pakistan, saying that Jay Shah as the new ICC chairman will decide at a perfect time. He made it clear that Shah would analyze the present circumstances and make an unbiased decision if India could travel to Pakistan or not:
“See! If the Champions Trophy is being considered, then Pakistan is certainly hosting that competition. In the previous year as well, the Asia Cup was held in Pakistan, and we agreed to adopt a hybrid model so that India’s matches could be conducted in Sri Lanka.
So far, there haven’t been any discussions with BCCI regarding the tournament nor have we finalized a decision. But, we have good news. Our BCCI secretary Jay Shah is set to take up the role of ICC Chairman. So, it is expected that he would make an effective decision on this matter as the ICC’s independent Chairman.
Usually, we follow certain standards, particularly for international tours by acquiring the government’s permission. Finally, the decision is upto the Indian government to decide if our cricketers should travel to any country or not,” Rajeev Shukla said.
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Overall Facts:
Currently, there hasn’t been any official confirmation from the ICC regarding the shift in venue for the Champions Trophy 2025 final match. However, various reports have raised the possibility that the forthcoming edition of the tournament might once again adopt a hybrid model, similar to the Asia Cup 2023, where all the matches of Team India (including the finals) were played in Sri Lanka.
Finally, it is expected that the ICC will soon come up with the best decision to conduct the ICC Champions Trophy in the best possible manner after a long gap of 8 years.
