LAHORE: Due to lingering political tensions, Pakistan and India have not engaged in a bilateral cricket series since 2012. The Indian government has directed its cricket board to limit meetings with Pakistan to ICC or ACC events. There is currently a debate on whether the Indian team will go to Pakistan next year for the Champions Trophy. Initially, the Indian media indicated positively, but recently discussions have intensified that the team will not cross the border. In the midst of this, the annual ICC conference is being held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where a possible relocation of the Champions Trophy matches to another country is on the agenda, albeit with an additional budget.
Last year, the Indian team refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, leading to their matches being held in Sri Lanka. This time, the PCB has firmly stated that the hybrid model is unacceptable and that the entire event must take place in Pakistan. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is in Colombo, expected to meet BCCI chief Jay Shah to convince him to send the Indian team to Pakistan. However, the PCB acknowledges that the final decision will be made by the Government of India and not the BCCI.
According to sources, before leaving for Sri Lanka, 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 could be scheduled during both teams’ off days after the Champions Trophy. It is worth noting that Australia and England have invited Pakistan and India to play the series in their respective countries, but Pakistan is yet to decide on a host. The plan will go ahead only if Jay Shah gives a positive answer.
Naqvi will also meet senior officials from other cricket boards to discuss arrangements and security for the Champions Trophy. Apart from India, no other country has expressed reservations about touring Pakistan and the PCB remains optimistic that all teams will participate. Rumors of Afghanistan’s hesitation are false.
In addition, the PCB has purchased land adjacent to the National Cricket Academy to build a five-star hotel there. Discussions with major hotel chains are ongoing, with one proposal suggesting that PCB build the hotel itself. The project, which is due to be completed in the coming years, aims to eliminate the need for teams to stay in remote hotels, thereby ending road closures for safety reasons. Only the area adjacent to Gaddafi Stadium will be closed during matches.
