Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed dates for the Champion’s Trophy. Pakistan is all set to host the mega event in February next year. All the matches are scheduled to be held in the country with no chance of shifting any match to any other venue outside of Pakistan in case of inconvenience to any visiting country. Let’s take a look at the dates and venues suggested for the ICC Champion’s Trophy 2025.
ICC Champion’s Trophy 2025: Dates and Venues
According to PCB, the event can be held from February 19 to March 9 across Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. If these dates are finalized it would mean the latter half of the tournament will fall during Ramadan the month of fasting from dawn till dusk. This year’s PSL also saw some of the matches including the final being played in the Holy month. But being a 20-over format the matches were shifted to after sunset. However, the 50-over Champions’s trophy can not have this happen and will have to be played from morning till late night. The management will have to accommodate all the fasting players.
As for the venues of the ICC Champion’s Trophy 2025, The National Bank Stadium Karachi will host three matches including the opener and a semi-final. The maximum number of matches, seven, including the final will be held in Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. One semi-final and four other matches will be staged in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
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It is understood that PCB got the green light to arrange the tournament after several match and security officials visited the stadiums earlier this year. Andy Atkinson, the chief pitch inspector, was also part of the delegation. The delegates thoroughly reviewed the arrangements and logistics and gave the Board a thumbs-up for their plans.
India will not get away with a Hybrid Model
It is understood from the sources close to the PCB that no hybrid model is and will be in consideration. The last time India visited Pakistan was in 2008 for the Asia Cup. The last Bilateral series between the two countries was held in 2012-2-13 in India. A hybrid model was proposed last year for the Asia Cup hosted by Pakistan, solely because the men in blue refused to come to Pakistan. Hence all the games involving India had to be scheduled in Sri Lanka.
To avert any security and logistic issues, all Indian matches have been set to be played in Lahore. Also, the Wahgah Border crossing in the Punjab capital will aid Indian fans and media to make a safe and short entrance and exit. Should India be part of the semi-final of the ICC Champion’s Trophy 2025, either Karachi or Rawalpindi will have to sacrifice their share. But the final word on whether Rohit and his men will come for the tourney lies in the hands of the Indian government. No official notification has been released by the BCCI. But it has made to be understood by Mohsin Naqvi, chairman PCB, that Pakistan will not agree to any hybrid model this time around.
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