The BCCI has declined the PCB’s travel assistance request for India during the ICC Champions Trophy, while the PCB remains committed to hosting the final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, regardless of India’s participation.
New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly turned down the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request for assistance with the Indian team’s travel arrangements back to India after each match of the ICC Champions Trophy. Although the tournament is set to take place in Pakistan, significant uncertainty surrounds the event due to India’s unclear position on participation.
The PCB reportedly proposed to the BCCI to assist with India’s travel back to Delhi or Chandigarh after each match of the ICC Champions Trophy. However, the BCCI is said to have rejected this proposal.
According to a report in Cricket Pakistan, which referenced a BCCI official’s comments to Dainik Jagran, the BCCI denied receiving any proposal from the PCB regarding travel arrangements for the Indian team during the ICC Champions Trophy. The official added that even if such a proposal were received, it would be rejected, emphasizing that the decision to travel to Pakistan for the tournament depends entirely on the approval of the Indian government.
India has not toured Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008. A similar situation arose during the Asia Cup 2023, which was held in a hybrid model after India declined to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. Despite these challenges, the PCB has maintained a firm stance, insisting that they will not allow the ICC Champions Trophy to be relocated from Pakistan.
The PCB was initially optimistic about India’s potential tour to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. However, the board is now reportedly mentally prepared for the possibility of India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, with matches likely shifting to the UAE. A PCB source confirmed this development, stating that regardless of whether India qualifies for the Champions Trophy final or withdraws from the tournament, the PCB intends for the final to be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
“The PCB’s first choice and priority is to host the entire Champions Trophy in Pakistan and they are counting on this but internally the Board is also mentally prepared to hear about the Indian government not allowing its team to play in Pakistan and India’s matches being held in UAE,” a PCB source said as quoted by NDTV.
“But the PCB has decided even in the event of India not playing in Pakistan they want the final to be held in Lahore. Even if India qualifies for the final the PCB wants the ICC to hold the match at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore,” the source said.
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