The International Cricket Council (ICC) is satisfied with the detailed arrangements briefed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials for next year’s Champions Trophy, sources told Geo News. The preparations were revealed at an ICC meeting on Monday, which was also attended by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Sources told Geo News that during the meeting, PCB officials assured the ICC board members that the upgrade of the three stadiums hosting mega-event matches will be completed within the stipulated time.
Naqvi also invited ICC board members to Pakistan to review preparations for the tournament. The Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan next year but there are still some challenges that need to be resolved.
Uncertainty remains over India’s trip to Pakistan for the mega event. India has not played any cricket tournament in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup due to tensions between the two countries due to terrorism.
The series played in India from December 2012 to January 2013 was the last bilateral series between the two countries. Since then, the two countries have only clashed at the ICC Championship and the Asian Cup. On the other hand, Pakistan team has visited India three times since the 2008 Asian Cup.
Recently, it was reported that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering three options for hosting the Champions Trophy.
Sources revealed that the international ICC either wants the tournament to be held in Pakistan as planned or as part of a hybrid model between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Under this hybrid model, India’s matches and knockout stage matches will be played in Dubai. A third option is for the entire tournament to be held outside Pakistan, with Dubai, Sri Lanka or South Africa as possible hosts.
Pakistan has not hosted any major International Cricket Council (ICC) event since the 1996 ODI World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.