On Monday, July 22, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) quashed the reports of the T20I series between India and Pakistan. As per PTI reports, it is learnt that the governing body has not come up with any suggestion for the bilateral series between the teams.
India and Pakistan have been in the news lately. This is because there has been a lot of speculation regarding the Men in Blue’s trip to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The tournament is set to be played in February-March next year and there has been no clarity so far.
Amidst all the hullabaloo between India and Pakistan regarding the hosting of the 2025 Champions Trophy, there were reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board has come up with a suggestion. The governing body is reportedly keen on hosting a three-match T20I series against arch-rivals at the neutral venue.
Since 2012-13, India and Pakistan have not faced each other in bilateral series due to political tensions. They only face each other in ICC events and Asia Cups. Reports that the PCB is stepping forward for the series between the two nations has excited many.
However, all the reports about the India vs Pakistan T20I series at the neutral venue are grabbing headlines and a source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board has rubbished all the rumours. He revealed that the board has not come up with any such suggestion.
He also stressed that their main focus at the moment is to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He underlined that they have a lot of other things to do as they also have a packed international calendar and have not submitted any application. Speaking to PTI, he explained:
“There is no proposal on the table or under consideration because right now the biggest challenge for us is to organise the Champions Trophy in a proper way and we also have a packed international calendar. “That is our main agenda at the moment. So, there is no question of looking at any kind of bilateral cooperation with India.”
India have not travelled to Pakistan since 2008. On the other hand, the Men in Green visited India for the bilateral series in 2012-13 and then for the 2016 T20 World Cup and most recently, the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. It remains to be seen whether they will travel to Pakistan or not for the tournament.
India to play all 2025 Champions Trophy matches in Lahore, reports say
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played from February 19 to March 9, 2025. According to reports, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore have been decided as three venues by the Pakistan Cricket Board for the Champions Trophy.
Reports claim that the Pakistan Cricket Board has kept all of India’s matches in Lahore. This is to ignore the travel risk and logistics for the team. There has been no official statement from both nations, but there are high chances of them travelling to Pakistan.