Due to political tensions, Pakistan and India have not played a bilateral cricket series since 2012. The Indian government has directed its cricket board to restrict matches with Pakistan to ICC or ACC events. The debate is whether the Indian team will travel to Pakistan for next year’s Champions Trophy.
Initially, the Indian media gave a positive signal, but recently, the discussion regarding the team not crossing the border has intensified. Meanwhile, the ICC’s annual conference is being held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the agenda includes possibly shifting the Champions Trophy matches to another country despite the extra budget.
Last year, the Indian team refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, so their matches were held in Sri Lanka.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, a key figure in the negotiations, is in Colombo and is expected to meet BCCI chief Jay Shah to convince him to send the Indian team to Pakistan. However, the PCB admitted that the final decision would be taken by the Indian government and not by the BCCI.
According to sources, before Sri Lanka’s departure, senior PCB officials agreed to invite India for a T20 series at a neutral venue next year. Mohsin Naqvi will discuss it with Jay Shah and the matches are proposed to be scheduled during the free day of both the teams after the Champions Trophy. It is worth mentioning that Australia and England have invited Pakistan and India to play the series in their countries, but Pakistan has not yet decided to host.
The plan will go ahead only if Jai Shah gives a positive response. Mohsin Naqvi will also meet senior officials of other cricket boards to discuss the arrangements and security of the Champions Trophy. Apart from India, no other country has expressed reservations about visiting Pakistan, and the PCB is hopeful that all teams will participate. Rumors about Afghanistan’s reluctance are false.
Additionally, PCB has purchased a plot adjacent to the National Cricket Academy to construct a five-star hotel. Talks are underway with major hotel chains, with a proposal for PCB to build the hotel. The project, to be completed in the coming years, aims to eliminate the need for teams to stay in remote hotels, thereby eliminating road closures for security. Only the area adjacent to Gaddafi Stadium will remain closed during the matches.