It was declared the ICC’s responsibility to bring the Indian team to Pakistan to play the Champions Trophy; as the host PCB submitted the schedule and format, it was the discretion of the Council to present it to the participating countries and finalize it after discussion.
All the matches of blue shirts in the event are held in Lahore; even if the visiting team reaches the final, it will have to play in Gaddafi Stadium. On the other hand, the budget approved by the ICC for the Champions Trophy also includes ancillary expenses, the purpose of which is to hold the matches at another venue in case the Indian team does not come to Pakistan.
According to the details, the Champions Trophy will be held on Pakistani soil next year, but as usual, India is not confirming whether it will send its cricket team. C meetings were held, but the announcement did not mention the Champions Trophy due to a lack of discussion on the schedule and format of the event.
The PCB has made it the ICC’s responsibility whether India comes to Pakistan or not. As the host, Pakistan has submitted the schedule and format of the Champions Trophy; now, it is up to the Council to present it to the participating member nations. After a debate on how soon to finalize it, the current schedule has all the Blue Shirts matches being held in Lahore. Even if they reach the finals, the Blue Shirts must play at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Sources confirmed that the PCB has already written to the ICC about all the financial details, including the payment of earnings. On the other hand, the ICC is waiting for confirmation from BCCI on the Indian cricket team’s decision to go to Pakistan.
According to the Indian media, the Council has also included additional expenses in the approved budget of the Champions Trophy to properly manage the finances of the Indian team when the matches are held in another country.
It should be noted that Blue Shirts refused to come to Pakistan to participate in the Asia Cup, during which India had to play the matches in Sri Lanka by adopting the hybrid model.
A few days ago, the Indian media claimed that the matches of the blue shirts at the event would be shifted to another venue, Sri Lanka or UAE, but no progress has been made in this regard yet.
Officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board are confident that all participating teams will be in action at Pakistani venues during next year’s Asia Cup. The stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi are being upgraded with a lot of money. The work is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
