There still remains a cloud of doubt about India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy. Furthermore, whether Team India will travel to Pakistan to play the games is another big issue. However, as per the latest reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board has come up with a solution. The PCB has written to the BCCI offering assistance in sending back the team to either Chandigarh or New Delhi after the respective matches.
As per the original schedule, India is to play all their group-stage matches in Lahore. But since India has a stanch notion of not traveling to Pakistan, the PCB is ready to make adjustments. They plan on sending the team back to stay in New Delhi or Chandigarh if the team fears security concerns staying in Pakistan.
Travel back to Delhi or Chandigarh from Lahore
The PCB has slotted India’s matches in Lahore looking after the logistical issues. Since Lahore is close to the Indian border, it can be helpful for Indian fans who are willing to travel to the neighboring country to watch the matches. India’s game as per the original schedule falls on 20th February, 23rd February, and then finally on 2nd March.
Since there is a week gap between the second and third fixture, the PCB believes that traveling back to stay in India is a viable option. Hopes have been raised after India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently paid a visit to Pakistan. However, whether the team travels to Pakistan continues to be a major doubt.
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The BCCI previously made it very clear that the team will travel to Pakistan only if the Central Government gives them the green signal. The last time such a scenario happened, the Government of India declined. As a result, the Asia Cup 2023 was held in a hybrid model with India playing their group stage and knockout matches in Sri Lanka. This time, the hybrid model looks like the way forward.
PCB suggests a tiresome option for Team India
While the PCB continues to hope that the Indian Cricket Team will travel to Pakistan, their plan has a major flaw. Constant travel to and fro from Pakistan to India and vice versa is not a feasible option. India will be playing three group-stage matches. And as per the arrangements, should India return back it will be a long and tiresome journey.
This comes especially after India will be playing their opening two matches within a span of 2 days. The BCCI is likely to decline the request. The ICC will be likely to intervene as the two cricket boards find themselves at an impasse. It is highly likely that India will be playing their matches in a neutral venue, while the other fixtures will be takin place as per their original schedule.
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