The next ICC tournament is the Champions Trophy and it will be hosted by Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board is preparing vigorously for this tournament to be played in the beginning of 2025. But the chances of the Indian cricket team going to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy are slim. Despite the bad relations between India and Pakistan and the security threat in Pakistan, PCB is hopeful that Team India will come to their country for this tournament. Amidst all this, PCB has taken a big decision for Indian fans.
PCB’s big decision for Indian fans
Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board and Minister in the Central Government, Mohsin Naqvi has assured to issue quick visas for Indian fans wishing to come to his country to watch next year’s ICC Champions Trophy matches. Naqvi said that PCB is hopeful that a large number of Indian cricket lovers will visit Pakistan to watch the Champions Trophy matches. He wants Indian fans to come to Pakistan and watch the match between these two countries in Lahore. A newspaper quoted Naqvi as saying, ‘We will keep a special quota of tickets for Indian fans and we will take appropriate steps to issue visas as soon as possible.’
The venue of Champions Trophy 2025 may change
Relations between India and Pakistan have not been good for quite some time, due to which the Indian team does not tour this country. Matches are played between India and Pakistan only during ICC tournaments and Asia Cup. In such a situation, it is believed that this tournament can be played on hybrid model. If this happens, Team India will play all its group stage matches outside Pakistan and even if it reaches the semi-finals, changes will be made in the venue. At present both the semi-finals are to be played in Pakistan only.
On the other hand, the final match of this tournament is to be played in Lahore. But if Team India reaches the final, then the final match can also be held outside Pakistan, there is every possibility that this match can be held in Dubai. However, ICC has not yet announced the schedule for this tournament. At the same time, according to the draft schedule, Team India has to play all its matches in Lahore. Team India will play its first match against Bangladesh on 20 February. After this, she will play the second match against New Zealand on 23 February. At the same time, the third and last match of the group stage will be played against Pakistan on March 1.
