PCB hands first draft schedule of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 without BCCI's consent - Reports

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will most likely take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025.

In a huge development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly submitted the first draft for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule to the International Cricket Council (ICC) without the consent of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Many speculations have been made that the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 might be moved to another country or venue just for Indian Cricket Team’s matches.

However, the PCB is in no mood to make any compromises or adopt a hybrid structure, even for India’s games, as they want to host the entire competition on their own soil.

A few reports stated that a similar hybrid model could be used for the upcoming ICC tournament in 2025. The reports further stated that the UAE is seen as the likely venue for the tournament. However, with PCB sending its first draft to the ICC, it looks like the cricket board is not in the mood to lose their hosting rights.

It is to be noted that Pakistan also had the hosting rights for the Asia Cup 2023, but the tournament was then played in a hybrid model when BCCI didn’t send their team to Pakistan. All of India’s matches were played in Sri Lanka, including the final.

India vs Pakistan game in Lahore in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

According to reports, the PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi was invited to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final in Barbados, where he submitted the schedule for the upcoming ICC tournament in 2025.

A report in PTI stated that the Champions Trophy will be played from February 19 to March 9. March 10 has been kept as a reserve day. The report further added that the PCB chairman Mohsin handed over the Champions Trophy 2025 first draft schedule without the consent of BCCI.

The first draft schedule of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 sees matches being played across three venues in Pakistan. Seven matches in Lahore, three in Karachi, and five in Rawalpandi. However, all of India’s matches are set to take in Lahore, which includes the semi-final if India qualify.

“The PCB has submitted the draft of the 15-match ICC Champions Trophy. Seven games in Lahore, three in Karachi and five in Rawalpindi,” an ICC Board member told the news agency.

“The opening match will be held in Karachi with two semifinals in Karachi and Rawalpindi, final in Lahore. All India matches (including semifinal, if the team qualifies) in Lahore,” the source added.

BCCI will consult its government and update the ICC

India have been slotted in Group A alongside hosts Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. Australia, South Africa, England, and Afghanistan are in Group B for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

However, as per the reports, the board chiefs of the participating countries have assured support, but the BCCI will consult its government and update the ICC. 

“All board chiefs of the ICC Champions Trophy participating countries (minus BCCI) have assured him of their complete support but BCCI will consult its government and update the ICC,” the ICC source added.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket for IPL 2024 Live Score & IPL Points Table,  on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.