The PCB has also denied speculations that India’s matches would be shifted to the UAE amid the growing reports that Champions Trophy matches, scheduled in 2025, could be taken from Pakistan. A report by the Telegraph UK said that if India reaches the finals, it may be shifted from Lahore to Dubai, considering the prevailing political tension between the two countries.
India has not toured Pakistan since July 2008, and because of political tensions, there have been no bilateral series or participation in events in Pakistan. All that has set the stage for a question mark over India’s participation in the Champions Trophy and a possibility of some logistical leeway from the ICC.
However, the PCB promptly acted to douse the speculation. The board confirmed that it was still committed to holding the entire Champions Trophy within the country. “Despite political tensions between India and Pakistan, the PCB remains committed to staging a successful and uninterrupted tournament,” a PCB functionary said.
There is absolutely no truth to the reports suggesting that the Champions Trophy final could be moved outside Pakistan,” the board emphatically denied. The board also denied any reports of any relocation of matches, especially the final. We are working diligently to ensure that all preparations for the tournament are on track, and we are confident that Pakistan will be able to host a memorable event, the statement said.
However, the ICC has not issued an official statement about a change in venue for the tournament. A few reports claimed that it may be held on a hybrid model similar to the 2023 Asia Cup, where India played all its matches in Sri Lanka.
The Champions Trophy is expected to be one of the biggest events on the cricket calendar in 2025, with the World Test Championship final set for June.
