PCB to Invite India for T20I Series at Neutral Venue in 2025

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering inviting India to a bilateral T20I series at a neutral venue in 2025. This proposal will be discussed during the ICC annual conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi will meet BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

The PCB remains firm in its stance that the Champions Trophy matches will not be moved outside Pakistan. However, the board is willing to accommodate India's concerns by offering a neutral venue for the T20I series. The matches could potentially be scheduled during the free days of both teams after the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan has emphasized that it will provide full security to the Indian team if they travel to Lahore for the Champions Trophy. The PCB has also acquired land adjacent to the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium to construct a 5-star hotel, which will eliminate the need for teams to stay in distant hotels and reduce security concerns.

Naqvi is expected to persuade Shah to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. However, the final decision rests with the Indian government, which has previously expressed security concerns about traveling to Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series since 2012, with the Indian government restricting cricket encounters to ICC or ACC events. The PCB's invitation for a T20I series in 2025 could be a step towards resuming bilateral cricket between the two nations.

Tags: #PCB, #India, #T20I, #NeutralVenue, #ChampionsTrophy