NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has scheduled the highly anticipated Champions Trophy match between Pakistan and India in Lahore on March 1 next year. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to approve the tentative schedule, according to a senior ICC Board member who spoke to the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency on Wednesday.
The tournament, slated to run from February 19 to March 9 with March 10 designated as a reserve day, will feature a total of 15 matches. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who attended the T20 World Cup final in Barbados, submitted the schedule, proposing that all of India’s matches be held in Lahore due to security and logistical reasons.
“The PCB has submitted the draft of the 15-match ICC Champions Trophy. Seven games in Lahore, three in Karachi, and five in Rawalpindi,” the ICC Board member revealed. “The opening match will be held in Karachi, with the semi-finals in Karachi and Rawalpindi, and the final in Lahore. All India matches, including the semi-final if the team qualifies, will be in Lahore,” the source added.
India has been grouped with Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand in Group A, while Group B consists of Australia, South Africa, England, and Afghanistan.
Recently, ICC head of events Chris Tetley met with Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad following an inspection of the venues and arrangements by the world body’s security team.
The last major tournament hosted by Pakistan was the Asia Cup in 2023, which operated under a ‘hybrid model.’ During this event, India played its matches in Sri Lanka due to the Indian government’s refusal to allow its players to travel across the border.
“All board chiefs of the ICC Champions Trophy participating countries, minus BCCI, have assured him of their complete support. However, BCCI will consult its government and update the ICC,” the source added.
The ICC cannot compel any board to contravene its government’s policy, making the BCCI’s final decision on the matter highly anticipated.