The PCB has approached the BCCI and proposed an arrangement allowing India to return to either New Delhi or Chandigarh between matches during the Champions Trophy next year if the team is unwilling to stay in Pakistan due to security reasons.
In fact, the PCB has “verbally” told BCCI that the Indian team can even camp in either New Delhi or Chandigarh/Mohali and travel by chartered flight to Lahore for their matches.
However, a PCB source confirmed to PTI on Friday that the board had made no written suggestions to their Indian counterparts.
“But yes, these options have indeed been discussed verbally between officials to ensure that India plays its matches in Pakistan,” the source said.
The Champions Trophy will occur from February 19 to March 9, with the matches planned in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi.
The PCB has planned India’s matches in Lahore because of its proximity to the Indian border and the ease of logistics.
India will complete its group-stage matches in the championship on February 20 against Bangladesh, February 23 against Pakistan, and March 2 against New Zealand.
The PCB remains firm in its position that the final has to be played in Lahore, whether India plays in Pakistan or not.
Lahore is also a city with a long gap between group matches and is close to the Indian border.
In fact, the ICC has proposed a hybrid model for the tournament, in which some matches would be played outside Pakistan.
