The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly given up on its attempt to convince the BCCI to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

The PCB has the hosting rights for the tournament next year, though it could suffer a major blow to its hopes of making the most of the opportunity. While the tournament may give the PCB a much-needed financial boost, its hopes could suffer a major setback if India decides not to visit Pakistan for the tournament.

As of now, there is not much clarity on the issue, though reports suggest that India is highly unlikely to cross the border for the Champions Trophy next year. And it seems that the PCB has also accepted its fate and has now left it to the ICC to try and convince the BCCI. The PCB has reportedly submitted the draft schedule to the ICC and is hopeful that the ICC can help its cause.

“The PCB has already done what was required of it as the host of the Champions Trophy. It has submitted the preliminary schedule and format for the event and has also submitted the budget for the event,” a PCB source told news agency PTI.

“It is now up to the ICC to decide how quickly it will float, discuss and finalise the Champions Trophy schedule. The PCB, on its part in the preliminary schedule, has suggested that all India’s matches be held in Lahore, including a semi-final (if India qualifies) and a final,” he added.

Another source close to the development said the PCB has also got clearance from its government to host India next year.

“The PCB has, on its part, informed the ICC in writing about the fiscal modalities, selection of venues and its government’s permission for the Indian team to stay in Pakistan for the mega event,” the source said.

ICC prepares for worst-case scenario:

While the ICC will do everything possible to convince the BCCI to send the Indian team to Pakistan, it is also preparing for the worst-case scenario. The report stated that the ICC has included supplementary expenditure in its budget for the tournament to address any situation where the Indian team decides not to visit Pakistan.

As far as the BCCI is concerned, it has all along maintained that the decision to send the Indian team to Pakistan is up to the Indian government. At present, bilateral relations between the BCCI and the PCB are suspended due to political tension between the two countries. India has not visited Pakistan since 2008 and is unlikely to visit the country next year.