
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approached the BCCI with a proposal that would allow the Indian cricket team to stay in either New Delhi or Chandigarh between their matches during next year’s Champions Trophy if they prefer not to remain in Pakistan.
The PCB has suggested, in informal discussions, that India could establish a base in either New Delhi or Chandigarh/Mohali and use chartered flights for travel to Lahore for their matches. A PCB source has indicated that no formal written proposals have been sent to their Indian counterparts.
“It is accurate that these options have been discussed verbally among officials as a means to facilitate India’s participation in the matches in Pakistan,” the source stated.
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, featuring matches in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. To ease logistics, the PCB has arranged for India’s matches to be held in Lahore due to its proximity to the Indian border.
India’s three group-stage matches are set for February 20 (against Bangladesh), February 23 (against Pakistan), and March 2 (against New Zealand).
The ICC is looking at a hybrid model for the tournament, which would involve some matches being played outside Pakistan. This consideration arises from the likelihood that India may not participate, as they have not toured Pakistan since 2008. The ICC is evaluating alternative locations, such as Dubai and Sri Lanka, to host some matches.
The PCB is prepared for the possibility that India may decline to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. However, they remain firm in their decision not to relocate the final, scheduled for March 9 in Lahore, even if India and Pakistan both qualify. ICC board members are set to convene in Dubai from October 18 to 21.