• PCB asks ICC to convince BCCI to send team to Pakistan for Champions Trophy.
• Champions Trophy budget approved, schedule and format yet to be decided.
• ICC includes extra budget in case India plays matches outside Pakistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has tasked the International Cricket Council (ICC) with convincing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to send its team to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

The tournament, scheduled for the first quarter of next year, recently had its budget approved during ICC meetings in Colombo, although the schedule and format were not discussed, according to a PCB source.

An Indian media report states that the PCB has already submitted all necessary details in its expression of interest document to the ICC.

The report further mentions that the PCB has now delegated the responsibility of finalizing and announcing the tournament schedule to the ICC, which must also secure confirmation from the BCCI regarding the Indian team’s travel to Pakistan.

To address scenarios where the Indian team might have to play outside Pakistan, the ICC has included supplementary expenses in its tournament budget.

Historically, the BCCI has maintained that playing cricket in Pakistan is a decision made by the Indian government. During the 2023 ODI Asia Cup, India played its games in Sri Lanka under a ‘Hybrid Model.’

According to the draft schedule, all of India’s matches, including a potential semi-final and final, are slated for Lahore, with the marquee India vs. Pakistan match scheduled for March 1.

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