KARACHI – A clear message has been sent to India to provide a written “yes or no” response regarding its participation in the Champions Trophy.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) COO, Salman Naseer, has been engaged in meetings with ICC officials in Dubai over the past several days, and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi joined him last week.
Typically, the ICC announces event schedules about three months in advance.
It is expected that the Champions Trophy schedule will be announced at an event in Pakistan between November 10-12, with India’s matches to be held in Lahore.
According to details, Pakistan is set to host an ICC event for the first time in many years with the Champions Trophy in February-March next year.
However, as usual, India has raised doubts by making its participation contingent on government approval, leaving an air of uncertainty.
The ICC generally releases schedules three months prior to events, and it intends to do so again.
Sources said that a clear message has been given to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to obtain a written response from its government regarding participation.
The schedule announcement is planned for one of the days between November 10-12, with ICC officials present.
Historically, the Indian government has rarely issued a written statement on decisions about touring Pakistan, and this time may be no different.
Sources say that if no response is received from India, the schedule will still be announced, with India’s matches planned for Lahore.
However, in case of a refusal, the ICC has already prepared a contingency plan, with an additional budget allocated, though it has not been publicly disclosed.
The PCB remains hopeful that the Indian team will participate in the Champions Trophy.
According to the proposed schedule, the event will start on February 19 with a match between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi.
The next day, India will face Bangladesh in Lahore. On February 21, Afghanistan will play South Africa in Karachi, while Australia will face England in Lahore the following day.
India is scheduled to play New Zealand in Lahore on February 23, and Pakistan will play its second match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 24.
On February 25, Afghanistan will face England in Lahore, and on the following day, Australia will play South Africa in Rawalpindi.
Bangladesh will take on New Zealand in Lahore on February 27.
Afghanistan and Australia will meet in Rawalpindi the following day, with the highly anticipated clash between rivals Pakistan and India scheduled for March 1 in Lahore.
The next day, England will face South Africa in Rawalpindi.
The semi-finals are planned for March 5 and 6 in Karachi and Rawalpindi, with the final set to take place on March 9 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. It should be noted that the proposed schedule may still be subject to changes.
Meanwhile, stadium construction work in Pakistan is progressing rapidly. Based on the current progress, the venues in Karachi,
Lahore, and Rawalpindi are expected to be ready by the December 30 deadline, with the PCB allocating approximately PKR 13 billion for this purpose.
An ICC delegation is expected to visit Pakistan soon for another review.
