The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have issued a firm dismissal to reports stating that India’s matches in the tournament could be relocated to the UAE.
The report from Telegraph UK had stated that the final could be relocated if India qualified for the clash due to the ongoing political tensions between the 2 nations.
India have not toured Pakistan since 2008 and this is mainly due to political tensions between the 2 countries. Given this, the report sparked speculations that India’s presence in the ICC tournament could again be impacted.
However, according to DunyaNews, PCB responded strongly to the report. In a recent statement, the board emphasized its commitment to successfully hosting the entire Champions Trophy within Pakistan’s borders.
“Despite the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, the PCB remains steadfast in its stance to ensure a successful and uninterrupted tournament,” PCB said.
“There is absolutely no truth to the reports suggesting that the Champions Trophy final could be moved outside Pakistan. We are working diligently to ensure that all preparations for the tournament are on track, and we are confident that Pakistan will be able to host a memorable event,” PCB clarified.
As of now, the ICC has not issued an official statement regarding any venue changes. However, multiple reports have suggested that the tournament could follow a hybrid model similar to the 2023 Asia Cup, in which India played all of their matches in Sri Lanka.
