Pakistan ready to facilitate India at any venue for Champions Trophy

LAHORE: As preparations for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy continue, Pakistan has made a new and flexible proposal to facilitate India’s participation in the tournament amidst ongoing uncertainties about India’s travel to Pakistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reassured the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of its commitment to providing every possible comfort and security to the Indian team, offering flexible arrangements to ensure their involvement in the highly anticipated event.

The tournament, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025, faces challenges due to strained political relations between the two nations.

The BCCI has made it clear that India’s participation hinges on approval from the Indian government following security assessments.

The PCB, aware of these concerns, has proposed a solution allowing the Indian team to return to Chandigarh or Delhi after each match to avoid an extended stay in Pakistan.

Initially, all of India’s matches were scheduled to take place in Lahore for convenience and ease of access for the Indian team and their fans. However, recent proposals suggest that one of India’s group stage matches—potentially against New Zealand—might be shifted to Rawalpindi. This adjustment was suggested by broadcasters, who recommended distributing India’s matches between Lahore and Rawalpindi to enhance broadcast reach and fan engagement.

The PCB, prioritising the comfort and security of the Indian team, has indicated that they are open to accommodating this change. The board has expressed its willingness to provide top-notch facilities and ensure a smooth stay, regardless of the venue.

There is also a ten-day gap between India’s second and third group matches, offering the Indian team the option to return to India for training or rest during the interim period, with the PCB facilitating seamless travel logistics.

In their communication with the BCCI, the PCB emphasised that the proposal for India to return home between matches was not driven by security concerns but aimed at providing comfort to the Indian players. The PCB reiterated its readiness to ensure excellent hospitality, whether India chooses to play all their matches in Lahore or prefers a venue change to Rawalpindi.

The close proximity of Lahore to the Indian border makes it a strategic location for India’s matches, while Rawalpindi, another city in Punjab province, remains a feasible alternative.

India is placed in Group A alongside host nation Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand.