BCCI To Reject PCB’s ‘Delhi’ Proposal For Champions Trophy?

Aditi Singh October 21, 2024

Champions Trophy

The BCCI apparently said that as of now, no official proposal from the PCB had been received relating to their participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Dainik Jagran reports that there have always been speculations about India’s participation, especially after the Indian government failed to confirm that the team would travel to Pakistan. Reports said the PCB proposed that the Indian team return to Delhi or Chandigarh after every match in case security conditions demanded it.

“No one has presented such a proposal before us,” the BCCI official corrected, adding, “It is ultimately up to the Indian government.”.

Since the high-pitched political tensions, India and Pakistan had not played a bilateral series in over ten years; they only met in international tournaments. India’s participation for this Champions Trophy is still uncertain but Pakistan has just visited India to play for the 2023 ODI World Cup.

The PCB claims to have made all required formalities in place if India decides not to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Yet, Pakistan still wants to stage the final match of the Champions Trophy at Lahore on March 9 when it is already evident that India will qualify for the final. This issue will come up for discussion in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Board meeting from October 18-21 in Dubai.

In a PCB source, it was quoted that “The PCB’s number one priority is hosting the entire Champions Trophy in Pakistan but are also mentally prepared for the Indian government not allowing its team to play there, with the matches then being relocated to the UAE.

However, the PCB still wishes to hold the last match of the series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Even this strategy would not deter them from this plan because of India’s qualification for the World Cup. The final of the World Cup was held in the Gaddafi Stadium in 1996 and is under upgradation now to accommodate more spectators.

The BCCI would like to react to the situation with the ICC asking it to approach a hybrid model for the tournament and can even shift the match venue to destinations like Sri Lanka or Dubai, just as it did to the Asia Cup last year.