The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected the reports of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final taking place in Dubai. It was reported by The Telegraph on Tuesday that the final of next year’s Champions Trophy will move out of Pakistan if India qualify for the summit clash, and instead of Lahore, it will take place in Dubai.
According to PCB, it is committed to hosting all the ICC Champions Trophy matches in the country, including the final.
“There is absolutely no truth to the reports suggesting that the Champions Trophy final could be moved outside Pakistan,” a PCB spokesperson was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan on Tuesday. “We are working diligently to ensure that all preparations for the tournament are on track, and we are confident that Pakistan will be able to host a memorable event.”
Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi are scheduled to host the matches of the Champions Trophy next year in Pakistan, and the three stadiums are undergoing construction works these days to upgrade the facilities for smooth conduct of Champions Trophy matches.
A total of eight teams are scheduled to travel to Pakistan next year for the Champions Trophy, which is set to be played from February 19 to March 9.
Lahore will host seven matches, including the final, whereas the National Stadium in Karachi will stage the opening match and one semi-final. Rawalpindi is scheduled to host five matches, including the other semi-final.
The semi-finals are set for March 5 and 6 in Karachi and Rawalpindi, respectively, and the final will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 9.
India last played a cricket match on Pakistani soil in July 2008 when it travelled across the border to take part in the Asia Cup 2008 matches in Karachi. In the final of the 2008 Asia Cup, India suffered a shocking defeat against Sri Lanka.
While India hasn’t travelled to Pakistan in the last 16 years due to tense political relations between the two countries, Pakistan has thrice toured India. The Men in Green played a bilateral white-ball series in December 2012-January 2013 and then took part in the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup.
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