The next edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will take place in Pakistan next year. Reports suggest that Bangladesh are placed in Group A of this event along with India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, report agencies.
According to reports, while Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan are in Group A, Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan are in Group B of the upcoming Champions Trophy. However, the ICC will announce the official schedule soon.
Among the Test-playing teams, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe, and Ireland failed to qualify for this edition of the Champions Trophy. Pakistan are the current champions, having won the title in 2017 by beating India in the final.
The draft schedule suggests that Pakistan and India will face off on March 01 in Lahore. The other two venues are Rawalpindi and Karachi.
According to the latest developments, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has furnished their draft for the ICC Champions Trophy. Slotting the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan in the first week of March, the PCB has given hosting rights to Lahore. The marquee Champions Trophy clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan can take place in Lahore on March 01 next year.
Pakistan will host the ICC event from February 19 to March 09. March 10 is taken as a reserve day for the final of the ICC event. According to a report filed by news agency PTI, a senior ICC board member revealed that the PCB is yet to receive the approval of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for its tentative schedule.
"The PCB has submitted the draft of the 15-match ICC Champions Trophy. Seven games in Lahore, three in Karachi and five in Rawalpindi," an ICC board member said. As per the Champions Trophy draft, India are joined by Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand in Group A. Australia, South Africa, England and Afghanistan are in Group B of the Champions Trophy.
"The opening match will be held in Karachi with two semifinals in Karachi and Rawalpindi, final in Lahore. All India matches (including semifinal, if the team qualifies) in Lahore," the source added. Pakistan last hosted a major tournament in 2023 - the Asia Cup. The tournament was conducted in a 'Hybrid Model' as India played its Asia Cup games in Sri Lanka. "All board chiefs of the ICC Champions Trophy participating countries (minus BCCI) have assured him of their complete support but BCCI will consult its government and update the ICC," the source added.
The last tournament that Pakistan hosted was the Asia Cup in 2023, conducted in a 'Hybrid Model' with India playing their matches in Sri Lanka as the government refused to permit the players' travel across the border.
"All board chiefs of the ICC Champions Trophy participating countries (minus BCCI) have assured him of their complete support but BCCI will consult its government and update the ICC," the source added.
The ICC, on its part, can't force any Board to go against its government policy and it will be interesting to see as to when BCCI takes a final call on the matter.
India last visited Pakistan in 2006. Since then, diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries have deteriorated, resulting in a six-year hiatus from bilateral series. The last bilateral series occurred from late 2012 to early 2013 when Pakistan traveled to India.
During the 2023 Asia Cup, India refused to participate as the hosts were Pakistan. Due to India's refusal, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) was forced to host the Asia Cup across venues in Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
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