ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB breaks silence on reports of final being shifted to Dubai

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rubbished recent reports regarding the final of next year's ICC Champions Trophy to be shifted outside Pakistan.

Pakistan have the hosting rights for the tournament that is scheduled to be played in February and March. While the venues for the tournament have already been confirmed, a recent report stated that the ICC and PCB could be forced to conduct a few games outside Pakistan.

The Telegraph has reported that the venue for the final could be shifted from Lahore to Dubai if India qualify for the title decider. The report stated that the Indian government has not yet given the BCCI the green light to send the Indian team to Pakistan.

India have not visited Pakistan since 2008 and have not played a bilateral series against the arch-rivals since the 2012-13 season. With the bilateral relationship between the two countries at an all-time low due to political reasons, it won't be very surprising if the BCCI fails to obtain permission from the government to send the team to Pakistan.

The news outlet also reported that apart from India's group games and potentially the final, one of the semifinals could be shifted outside Pakistan as well if the Men in Blue make it to the last four. The report also stated that if the games are shifted outside Pakistan, they are likely to be played in the UAE.

No Champions Trophy games outside Pakistan, says PCB

While only time will reveal the Champions Trophy's fate, the PCB has reiterated that no game including the final of the tournament will be played outside Pakistan. Geo News journalist took to X to reveal PCB's stance on the matter, writing:

"PCB has REJECTED rumours regarding final of Champions Trophy to be shifted to Dubai incase Indian Cricket Team qualifies in the final."

He further stated that the PCB is renovating the stadiums of Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore by investing millions of rupees and is in no mood to let any game take place outside the country.,

🚨 NEWS - PCB has REJECTED rumours regarding final of Champions Trophy to be shifted to Dubai incase Indian Cricket Team qualifies in the final. 1/n #CT

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) October 8, 2024

🚨 NEWS - PCB strongly has no other plans except to play entire Champions Trophy in Pakistan including every single match of India. #CT25 2/n

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) October 8, 2024

🚨 NEWS - PCB is upgrading cricket stadiums of Rawalpindi Karachi Lahore by investing millions of rupees for the sake of hosting entire Champions Trophy in Pakistan. #CT25 4/n

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) October 8, 2024

Well, the PCB was in a similar situation last year as well when it had the hosting rights for the Asia Cup. Even on that occasion, they were not ready to let any game take place outside Pakistan. They even threatened to boycott the ODI World Cup in India.

However, in the end, they had to accept the hybrid model proposed by the Asian Cricket Council. As a result, India played all of their games including the final in Sri Lanka.