Karachi- According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is willing to make “adjustments” to the 2025 Champions Trophy schedule it hosts with matches involving India in the UAE, a marked decline from its earlier stated position.

This could mean that the tournament could be held in a ‘Hybrid Model’ as the Indian government is unlikely to allow its team to travel to Pakistan due to the current socio-political environment and security concerns for the national team.

The last tournament hosted by Pakistan was the Asia Cup in 2023, which was held in a ‘Hybrid Model’ where India played its matches in Sri Lanka as the government refused to allow players to cross the border.

“PCB feels that even if the Indian government does not allow the Pakistan tour, there may be slight adjustments in the schedule as India are likely to play their matches in Dubai or Sharjah,” a reliable source from the PCB told PTI.

The International Cricket Council (ICC), for its part, cannot force any Board to go against its government policy and it will be interesting to see when the BCCI takes its final call on the matter. The ICC will be chaired by India’s Jay Shah, probably until the time of the final call.

Meanwhile, the PCB is pressuring the ICC to announce the schedule of the tournament by next week as some top officials of the world governing body will visit Lahore again next week.

“The PCB has discussed the interim schedule with the ICC, which they sent a few months ago, and wants the same to be announced on November 11,” the source said.

“He told the ICC that there was no point in delaying the release of an interim match schedule as a backup plan was already in place along with a revised budget.”

He said the PCB has also asked the ICC to pressure the BCCI to confirm whether they will send their team to Pakistan for next year’s February-March event.

“PCB wants BCCI to give written notice whether they will seek permission from their government to send their team to Pakistan,” the source said.

According to the tentative schedule suggested by the PCB, the crucial Champions Trophy match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan will be held in Lahore on March 1 next year.

The tournament is scheduled to begin on February 19, 2025, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi. The final will be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on March 9.

According to the provisional schedule, all India’s matches have been held in Lahore for security and logistical reasons.

According to sources, the PCB is spending around 13 billion rupees to renovate its stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, where the CT matches will be held.

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