ICC's Plan B to host India's Champions Trophy 2025 matches outside Pakistan revealed

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is slated to take place in Pakistan in February-March next year. The planning and the preparations are on with clouds mulling over the participation of the Indian team since the tournament is scheduled to take place in Pakistan.

But the International Cricket Council (ICC) is making sure that they cover all the bases. As per the reports in Cricbuzz, it is learned that the governing body has also the option sorted if the India National Cricket Team disagrees to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.

During the Annual General Meeting of the ICC, which was held in Sri Lanka, there weren’t any discussions related to the India team’s participation. The governing body announced a $65 million budget to PCB for Champions Trophy 2025 but it comes with a major twist.

As per the reports, it is learned that the approved budget covers expenses for hosting some games of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at venues that are not in Pakistan. This certainly gives rise to speculations of India playing matches outside Pakistan.

Chief Executives Committee (CEC) confirms Pakistan approves extra budget if some games are played outside Pakistan

The note by the Chief Executives Committee (CEC) stated that the PCB signed the host agreement and revealed that they have also agreed to sign the agreement in case some of the games are played outside Pakistan. It stated:

"PCB has signed the Host Agreement and has worked with management to draft an event budget which is submitted to F&CA for approval. Management has also approved an estimate of the increase in the cost of staging the event if it is necessary to play some matches outside Pakistan."

The note from the PCB Chief Executives Committee (CEC) also stated that they underwent inspections of the venues in Pakistan in March 2024 and will be working with PCB to upgrade venues. The note added:

"A planning meeting and inspection of proposed match venues took place in Pakistan in March 2024. A significant amount of renovation work is underway in all three venues to upgrade facilities."

As per the reports Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi are the three venues that will be hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It is also learned that India travels to Pakistan, and they will be playing all their games in Lahore.

In a breakdown of the budget, around $35 million has been allocated for the competition itself. An additional amount of $20 million has been assigned for the participation and prize money. While $10 million has been approved to cover the production costs of televising the 15-match tournament.

India's matches reportedly are scheduled as follows: February 20 against Bangladesh, February 23 against New Zealand, 1st March against Pakistan. The tournament is slated to start with hosts Pakistan facing New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi. The semifinals are scheduled for 5th and 6th March in Karachi and Rawalpindi. The final is set to take place in Lahore on March 9.