In a big development, India’s matches in the Champions Trophy 2025 are likely to be split between Lahore and Rawalpindi. The suggestion to have India’s matches across two venues was given by the International Cricket Council and the broadcasters.
The reports also suggest that the Pakistan Cricket Board has agreed to add Rawalpindi as another venue for the tournament. This means that India could play its matches in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
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Lahore and Rawalpindi to host India’s matches in ICC Champions Trophy 2025
According to Geo News, India could end up playing its matches in Rawalpindi and Lahore. The idea to have India’s matches across two cities has also been approved by the PCB, which is finalizing its preparations to host the marquee tournament.
Update: ICC & broadcasters have suggested India’s Champions Trophy matches to be played at TWO venues, as per Geo News ✅
PCB has agreed and likely to add Rawalpindi. The first venue is Lahore 🇵🇰🇮🇳🔥 pic.twitter.com/hquFjs3tFV
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 17, 2024
Both Rawalpindi and Lahore are in Pakistan’s Punjab province and both cities are premier cricket-playing cities in the country. Since both of them are situated in the same province, there will be fewer logistical issues as well.
According to the reports, having matches across two venues will enhance the broadcasting quality and will further add to the event’s value. The PCB had earlier chosen Lahore as the only venue to host India’s matches in the draft schedule.
India’s schedule according to draft schedule
Lahore will also host the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. A total of eight teams are participating in the tournament with India slated in Group A alongside, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and hosts Pakistan. The tournament will run from February 19 to March 9.
According to the reported schedule, India will play its first match of the tournament against Bangladesh on February 20. The Men in Blue will then play New Zealand on February 23. The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan will take place on March 1.
However, amidst all these speculations, the biggest challenge for the ICC and the PCB is whether the Indian cricket team will travel to Pakistan or not. While all the other teams have confirmed their participation in the tournament in Pakistan, the BCCI is yet to confirm India’s participation.
BCCI’s stance on India’s participation in ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The BCCI has clearly stated that India’s travel to Pakistan will depend on approval from the government of India. If the government doesn’t allow the team to travel, then India will not go to Pakistan, which can result in the tournament being hosted in a hybrid manner.
Although, the PCB has clearly mentioned that it wants to host the entire tournament in the country, but it is clear that the tournament will not be hosted without India.
Recently, ECB chairman Richard Thompson stated that the Champions Trophy without India is not possible and the ICC and PCB will find a way to include India in the tournament.
