The BCCI has reportedly declined Pakistan Cricket Board’s Champions Trophy proposal and said that the tournament should be held in hybrid mode. According to an ANI report, India has firmly said no to Rohit Sharma’s squad travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy matches next year.
In all likelihood, the matches will be held on neutral grounds in the UAE as the past trends suggest. The ANI report says that the BCCI is likely to suggest all India matches to be held either in Dubai or Sri Lanka. PCB had submitted the proposal to ICC that needed BCCI’s consent. The PCB has proposed the high-octane India vs Pakistan match to be held in Lahore next year. However, India has often cited security reasons.
ICC’s Champions Trophy is scheduled from February 19 to March 9 next year. According to the proposal submitted by the PCB, three venues have been selected for the eight-team tournament. These are Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi. With the BCCI submitting a counter-proposal, suspense remains on the final outcome.
After a gap of eight years, this 50-over format event will be making a comeback in 2025. Top eight teams of the ICC ODI World Cup will feature in the tournament. These teams will be divided in two groups. While hosts Pakistan are clubbed with New Zealand, India and Bangladesh in Group A, South Africa, England, Afghanistan and Australia have been put together in Group B.
