Champions Trophy 2025: PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi Comments on India’s Potential Participation
Author: Vishnu Reddy
Updated At:
Pakistan is gearing up to host the upcoming Champions Trophy edition starting from February onwards in 2025. This will also be the nation's first ICC event since the 1996 ODI World Cup which was jointly hosted by India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Due to strained political ties between India and Pakistan, a cloud of uncertainty looms around India’s participation and whether or not they would get a go-ahead from their government to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
However, in a recent interview, PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi expressed his views on this intriguing matter. While interacting with ESPNCricinfo, Naqvi firmly stated that the Champions Trophy 2025 will be held in Pakistan and remains confident of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sending India team to the neighboring country. Furthermore, he is also hopeful that other teams would follow suit along with India.
"The Indian team should come. I don't see them cancel or postpone coming here and we are confident we will host all the teams in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan,"
ICC Champions Trophy Venues For India
Three venues have been shortlisted by PCB for the upcoming Champions Trophy. These include Karachi's National Stadium, Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. As per the schedule, all of India’s matches are scheduled in Lahore including the semi-final and the final.
An intense renovation work is underway and the PCB has invested millions to get the stadiums match-ready by the start of next year. It is reported that PCB has allocated an estimated amount of PKR 12.80 billion ($49 million) for the upgradation of three Champions Trophy venues.
Moreover, BCCI secretary and ICC Chairman Jay Shah did not voice his objection about sending the Indian team either and stated that they will look into this matter when the time comes. It is worth noting that team India last toured Pakistan way back in 2008 in the Asia Cup. Bilateral cricketing ties have since then plummeted to an all-time low but the CT 2025 gives both nations a chance to revive their cricketing ties and end the decades-long bitterness.
Meanwhile India is busy with the T20I series against Bangladesh - Check out the betting tips of IND vs BAN T20I series.
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