Cricket

The Indian cricket team's recent triumph at the T20 World Cup has ignited ambitious aspirations within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Secretary Jay Shah has set his sights on conquering the World Test Championship and Champions Trophy, emphasizing the significance of experienced senior players in the squad."Our target is to win the World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy," Shah declared. "The seniors will be there."Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, instrumental in India's victory over South Africa, have bid farewell to T20Is, along with Ravindra Jadeja. Shah lauded their contributions, highlighting the value of experience in high-stakes tournaments."Experience makes a lot of difference," Shah said. "A good player knows when to say goodbye to the game. We saw that yesterday."India's title drought has been broken after a decade of near misses in major finals. Shah expressed optimism about the team's future, citing its depth and versatility."We have the biggest bench strength," Shah said. "We can field three teams if needed."The transition following the retirement of key players is underway, with Shah acknowledging the impact of their departure."Transition has already happened with three greats retiring," Shah remarked.India's T20 World Cup victory marks their first ICC title in 11 years, fueling hopes for continued success with a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed February 19, 2023, as the start date for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The tournament is scheduled to run until March 9, with matches taking place in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore.Karachi will host three games, including the tournament opener and a semi-final, while Lahore will host seven, including the final. The other semi-final will be one of five contests to take place at Pindi Cricket Ground.Several ICC officials have visited Pakistan to inspect arrangements for the first ICC tournament in the country since the 1996 World Cup. They have provided positive feedback on logistics and arrangements, allowing the PCB to proceed with its plans.However, the proposed dates mean that the last third of the tournament will be held during Ramadan, which could impact attendance. The PCB has previously tried to accommodate for this by moving start times to 9pm, but this will not be possible for the Champions Trophy, which is an ODI tournament.As previously reported, every game involving India at the tournament is slated to take place in Lahore. This means one semi-final will be moved from Karachi or Rawalpindi to Lahore should India qualify for the last four. Basing India in one city is thought to have been proposed to avoid logistical and security complications around their travel. Additionally, Lahore's proximity to the Wagah border crossing between India and Pakistan makes it easier for Indian fans to attend.The main question surrounding the event remains India's participation. The Indian team has not played in Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008, and there has been no bilateral series between the two since 2012-13. The BCCI has stated that the decision to travel to Pakistan rests with the Indian government.Every other side involved in the upcoming Champions Trophy has travelled to Pakistan since cricket returned to the country in 2015. Pakistan will also host an ODI tri-series featuring South Africa and New Zealand before the tournament.Pakistan are the defending champions, having won the last Champions Trophy in 2017.

The highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash at the 2025 Champions Trophy has sparked excitement among cricket enthusiasts worldwide. According to reports, the two cricketing giants are scheduled to face off in Lahore, Pakistan, during the tournament.The draft schedule, submitted to the International Cricket Council (ICC), suggests that the 50-over event will take place from February 19 to March 9. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed Karachi and Rawalpindi as venues, while Lahore will host India's matches.However, India's participation in Pakistan remains uncertain. The PCB's proposal requires approval from the Indian government, which has historically been reluctant to allow its team to travel to Pakistan due to political tensions.The PCB has reportedly suggested that India play all its matches in Lahore, including a potential semi-final. The tournament will feature a total of 15 matches, with seven scheduled in Lahore, five in Rawalpindi, and three in Karachi.The opening match will be held in Karachi on February 19, while the semi-finals will take place in Karachi and Rawalpindi. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Lahore.The BCCI has yet to respond to the proposed venues. The board requires permission from the Indian government to travel to Pakistan, and the current political climate makes it unlikely that such approval will be granted.If India does not participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, it would be a major disappointment for fans and a setback for the PCB's efforts to host international cricket.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly planning to revive the Champions Trophy in 2023, with a 20-day window from February 19 to March 9 being proposed. The tournament, which features the top eight teams in the ICC's ODI rankings, was last held in 2017, with Pakistan emerging victorious.According to a report on Cricbuzz, the ICC has informed its member boards about the proposed dates. Pakistan is the official host of the tournament, but due to the Indian government's reluctance to allow its team to travel to Pakistan, the event may adopt a hybrid model similar to the recent Asia Cup, where India played all their matches in Sri Lanka.Pakistan has reportedly designated Lahore as the venue for all India matches to minimize travel time and facilitate fan attendance from the Wagah border near Amritsar. However, a final decision on the tournament's format and venues will depend on the Indian government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The ICC's annual conference in Colombo in July is expected to provide clarity on the Indian government and BCCI's stance. If the Champions Trophy does take place in 2023, it will mark the return of a prestigious tournament that has been on hiatus for six years.

World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten has been appointed as the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan men's cricket team for a two-year term. Pakistan will participate in two T20 World Cups (2024 and 2026) and one Champions Trophy during Kirsten's tenure.Upon assuming his role, Kirsten outlined his vision for the team's future, emphasizing the importance of winning major ICC tournaments. "If you can win one of those three ICC Events, that will be an amazing achievement on its own," he said. "My job is to make sure that the team operates at its best, and if the team is operating at its best, we will always have a good chance of winning a trophy."However, former Pakistan player Ahmed Shehzad criticized Kirsten's statements, questioning his understanding of the team's dynamics. "Gary Kirsten is a renowned coach, but he will be fed information by those who will select the team," Shehzad said. "He does not have a base in Lahore nor has he grown up in Pakistan to understand the nature of different players."Shehzad also expressed concern over Kirsten's cautious approach, stating that "he is keeping himself in a safe position" by suggesting that Pakistan may not win the upcoming T20 World Cup but could perform better in the future. "This is not how a winner talks," Shehzad added.Despite Shehzad's criticism, Kirsten remains confident in his ability to guide Pakistan to success. He has a proven track record of success, having coached India to the 2011 World Cup title and South Africa to the top of the ICC Test rankings.Kirsten's appointment is part of a broader restructuring of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has also seen the appointment of former captain Shahid Afridi as the chief selector. The PCB is hoping that these changes will help Pakistan regain its status as a cricketing powerhouse.

Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has raised concerns over India's potential decision to boycott the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year. He believes that refusing to participate in an ICC event could have severe consequences for the Indian team.Latif emphasized that teams are obligated to fulfill their commitments to ICC events, as they are aware of the tournament schedule and venues when signing contracts. He cited the example of the 1996 World Cup, where Australia and West Indies' refusal to travel to Sri Lanka resulted in a significant change in the tournament format and Sri Lanka's eventual victory."If India or Pakistan has signed in, they will have to go for that event," Latif said. "If any circumstances occur on a government level, then you have to provide a logical answer as to why not coming."Sources have indicated that Team India may not participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan due to security concerns. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed a hybrid model, with India's qualifying round matches being held in a single city. However, Latif believes that refusing an ICC event could backfire on India."In my opinion, refusing an ICC event can backfire," he said. "You can refuse the bilateral series citing the conditions in Pakistan are not right etc etc... But it will be tough to refuse ICC events."The PCB has selected Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore as the tournament venues, with Lahore hosting the final match. The ICC is expected to make a decision on the venue and format of the Champions Trophy in the coming weeks.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India's qualifying round matches during the 2025 Champions Trophy be scheduled exclusively in one city. This decision aims to streamline logistics and ensure efficient organization while maximizing the tournament's success.The PCB, which will host the prestigious event, has selected Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore as the venues for the tournament, with Lahore hosting the final match. By concentrating India's matches in one city, the PCB seeks to enhance the overall experience for players, officials, and spectators alike."The ICC general manager Wasim Khan also recently visited Lahore where he discussed the CT arrangements with the PCB top brass and it was suggested that the Indian team's travel itinerary be kept to a minimum," a PCB source informed.The source further disclosed that India might play its initial qualifying round matches in Karachi before transitioning to other venues for the knockout stages. Notably, the Indian cricket team hasn't competed in Pakistan since 2008, with their cricketing interactions limited solely to ICC tournaments.In the previous year, the Indian cricket board opted not to send the national team for the Asia Cup, which was ultimately conducted in Pakistan and Sri Lanka using a hybrid model.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reiterated that all participating teams will honor their commitments to play in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan as scheduled. Additionally, he revealed that stadium renovation work is set to begin shortly, with the tournament anticipated to take place in February-March 2025.The PCB's proposal to schedule India's matches in one city is a strategic move to ensure smooth operations and minimize travel disruptions for the Indian team. This decision reflects the PCB's commitment to hosting a successful and memorable Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the 2023 Champions Trophy will be held entirely within Pakistan, with matches scheduled to take place in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The decision comes amidst speculation that the tournament could adopt a "hybrid model" to accommodate India's participation.The PCB remains adamant about hosting the tournament within the country's borders, despite ongoing rumors suggesting a potential 'hybrid model' to accommodate India's participation. The board has sent the schedule for the matches to the ICC and is confident that it can provide a safe and secure environment for the event.The ICC's security team has already visited Pakistan and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements. The PCB is also working to upgrade the facilities at the three proposed venues to ensure they meet international standards.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said at a press conference in Lahore, "We are trying to ensure we host a very good tournament in Pakistan." He added that the board is committed to providing a memorable experience for all participants and fans.The PCB has been steadfast in insisting that the tournament will not be altered in any way to accommodate India. The 'Hybrid Model' of hosting was used in the Asia Cup last year, with India's matches held in Sri Lanka even though Pakistan was the official host.However, the PCB has made it clear that it will not accept any such arrangement for the Champions Trophy. Naqvi said, "We have not received any official communication from the ICC regarding a hybrid model. We are confident that we can host the entire tournament in Pakistan."The PCB is confident that it can host a successful Champions Trophy in 2023. The tournament will be a major boost for Pakistan cricket and will help to promote the country as a safe and welcoming destination for international sports events.

Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi have been proposed as the venues for the 2025 Champions Trophy, according to the initial draft schedule submitted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to the International Cricket Council (ICC). The tournament is scheduled for mid-February, and the PCB is working to upgrade the venues in preparation for the first ICC event in Pakistan in nearly three decades.Pakistan, the defending champions, will host the eight-team tournament over two weeks. The exact dates are yet to be determined. The PCB finalized the venues and schedule after an ICC team conducted inspections."We've sent the schedule for the matches in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy," said PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. "The ICC's security team came and we had a very good meeting. They looked at arrangements here and we'll also share stadium upgrade plans with them. We're continuously in touch with the ICC. We are trying to ensure we host a very good tournament in Pakistan."The schedule will likely be influenced by India's participation. ESPNcricinfo reports that the initial draft has all games, including India's, being played in Pakistan.However, the fate of India's games depends on the political climate between the two countries and whether the Indian government grants permission for the BCCI to send its team to Pakistan. India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup due to frosty relations between the governments.Pakistan last hosted an ICC event in 1996, when they co-hosted the ODI World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. Since then, security concerns have prevented teams from touring Pakistan.The Champions Trophy will be the centerpiece of a busy home season for Pakistan, which will also host South Africa and New Zealand for an ODI tri-series before the ICC event. The PCB will need to find an appropriate window for the 10th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which could clash with other T20 leagues.The PCB acknowledges the need to improve the stadiums in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, which have not had significant upgrades in recent years."If you look at Gaddafi [stadium in Lahore], it is good, but the viewing experience is not great for cricket. Football maybe, not cricket," said Naqvi. "We need to improve facilities in the stadiums, where there are some old problems. [The National Stadium in] Karachi is in bad shape. So on May 7th, we'll finalise bids from international companies who will come and help us design. We will work with local consultants as well. We are already late but we need to do these upgrades in four-five months. It will be a very tough test but we can do it."