PCB Suggests Lahore As Home Base For India In ICC Champions Trophy 2025

In a strategic move to ensure top-tier security and minimize travel for the Indian cricket team, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed Lahore as India's home base during the ICC Champions Trophy 2024.

This suggestion has been included in the draft schedule submitted to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in late April. A reliable source within the PCB confirmed, "Yes, Lahore has been suggested as the home base for the Indian team to reduce their travelling and to provide them with the best security arrangements."

The decision comes in light of India's previous refusal to play the Asia Cup in Pakistan due to security concerns, which resulted in their matches being relocated to Sri Lanka.

The ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2024. While the ICC executive board has yet to approve the draft schedule, the PCB has also designated Karachi and Rawalpindi as alternative venues for the tournament's matches.

This will be the first major ICC event hosted by Pakistan since the 1996 Cricket World Cup, although Pakistan did host the entire Asia Cup in 2008 and some matches of the same event last year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet formally confirmed whether the Indian national team will participate in the ICC event in Pakistan.

PCB's Preparations and Future Plans

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi indicated potential changes within the Pakistan team following their recent six-run loss to India in the T20 World Cup in New York. Naqvi also announced plans to upgrade the stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi ahead of the Champions Trophy.

In addition to the Champions Trophy preparations, the PCB has scheduled the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for April 2024 and plans to host a tri-series featuring South Africa and New Zealand prior to the ICC event.