'Now up to the ICC': PCB on India's participation in Champions Trophy; gets assurance from Afghanistan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have pushed the ball in Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and International Cricket Council’s (ICC) court over the 2025 Champions Trophy. Pakistan are set to host the marquee event next year but India are unlikely to send their team due to strained political relations between the two countries.

With that mind and BCCI’s reluctance to travel, PCB have left things for ICC to announce the tournament schedule and convince India to travel to Pakistan.

“The PCB now has done what was required of it as hosts of the Champions Trophy. It has submitted the draft schedule and format for the event and also submitted budget for the event,” a PCB insider said as quoted by news agency PTI.

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“It is now up to the ICC how soon they circulate, discuss and finalise the schedule of the Champions Trophy. The PCB for its part in the draft schedule has suggested hosting all of India’s games in Lahore including a semi-final (if India qualifies) and final,” he added.

“The PCB for its part has given in writing to the ICC about the tax modalities, venue selections and clearance from its government for Indian team to be hosted in Pakistan for the mega event,” another source added.

The source also told PTI that the budget for the Champions Trophy was approved at the recent ICC meetings in Colombo. However, there was no discussion on the schedule and format of the tournament. Additionally, PCB have already submitted the draft schedule.

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Afghanistan commit to travel

With fears other nations could follow India in pulling out of travelling to Pakistan, Afghanistan have reportedly provided a boost.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) president Mirwais Ashraf and CEO Naseeb Khan met with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and assured they would travel to the neighbouring country for the tournament.

“They told the chairman that Afghanistan is looking forward to sending its team to Pakistan since they are participating in the Champions Trophy for the first time,” a PCB source told PTI.

“They gave the assurance after speculations about some countries following India’s path if the BCCI decides not to send its team to Pakistan for the event,” he said.

Former PCB chairman Khalid Mehmood had said recently that BCCI could use its financial might to keep others from travelling to Pakistan. He said if India didn’t send a team, the likes of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan may not send teams either.

Pakistan are scheduled to host the 2025 Champions Trophy in February and March. It is the first major tournament in Pakistan since the jointly hosted 1996 World Cup.