ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB prepared for India's rejection, stubbornly insists on hosting final in Lahore

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has become a hot topic in the cricketing world yet again. Again, India's participation in the tournament is proving to be a big challenge for the hosting board, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

As per the reports in PTI, it is learned that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is mentally prepared for India's refusal to travel to the country for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, chairman Mohsin Naqvi has made it clear that they won't change the venue of the final, which will be taking place in Lahore.

The Pakistan Cricket Board is also prepared for India to play all their games in Dubai. Recently, there were reports in Sports Tak stating that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will most likely be played in a Hybrid model, with Men in Blue playing games outside of Pakistan.

Pakistan Cricket Board is firm on its stance for the final. They have made the statement that even if India reach the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, they want the International Cricket Council (ICC) to host the summit clash at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

PCB wants the ICC to hold the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Lahore

A source close to PCB said: "The PCB's first choice and priority is to host the entire Champions Trophy in Pakistan and they are counting on this but internally the Board is also mentally prepared to hear about the Indian government not allowing its team to play in Pakistan and India’s matches being held in UAE,"

"But the PCB has decided even in the event of India not playing in Pakistan they want the final to be held in Lahore. Even if India qualifies for the final the PCB wants the ICC to hold the match at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore."

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board members are set to meet in Dubai from October 18 to 21. The reports claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board will be putting their stance on the same. The BCCI may also request the ICC to hold the tournament in a hybrid model and relocate their matches to either Sri Lanka or Dubai

PCB to submit details of the costs for renovations of stadiums of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also revealed that the governing body will submit details of costs for the renovations of stadiums. He stated:

"They will submit the details including the highest budget of around 7 billion earmarked for renovation work at the stadium in Lahore."

Reports of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 moving out of Pakistan have been bothering chairman Mohsin Naqvi

He also mentioned that the reports of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 moving out of Pakistan have been bothering chairman Mohsin Naqvi. But he claimed that they will be working on it as the chairman wants to host the entire tournament in Pakistan. He added:

"All this talk that the ICC Champions Trophy might be altogether moved to another location has also bothered the PCB and they will discuss this as Naqvi is adamant that Pakistan will host the event."

PCB recently revealed the draft schedule, and as per that, Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. According to that, India games will be played in Lahore.