The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is taking steps to facilitate a smooth experience for Indian fans wishing to attend the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which will be hosted in Pakistan. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Federal Interior Minister, announced an initiative to expedite visa processing and expressed hopes for a significant turnout from India.
“We will be keeping a special quota of tickets for Indian fans, and we will try to make the visa issuance policy brisk,” Naqvi stated in a recent report.
While the official tournament schedule is still pending, key venues have been identified, with matches expected to take place in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. The tournament is set to begin on February 19, with the final scheduled for March 9.
However, India’s participation remains uncertain as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is awaiting a formal policy decision from the Indian government on whether the national team will travel to Pakistan. This decision is particularly significant since no Indian cricket team has visited Pakistan since the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, with bilateral ties mostly limited to ICC events and neutral venues.
The PCB is optimistic about Team India’s participation, with Naqvi expressing confidence in the outcome. “The Indian team should come. I don’t see them cancel or postpone coming here, and we are confident we will host all the teams in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan,” Naqvi said.
He also emphasized the PCB’s commitment to ensuring that Indian fans can attend the anticipated India-Pakistan clash, likely to be held in Lahore.
Meanwhile, high-ranking officials from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), including Chairman Richard Thompson, have commented on the broader implications of India’s potential absence from the Champions Trophy. Reports indicate that ECB officials believe the tournament’s success is closely linked to India’s participation, stating that “staging the Champions Trophy without powerhouse India is not an option.”
As discussions continue, the ICC is reportedly preparing alternative plans in case the BCCI cannot secure government approval for the visit.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
