Champions Trophy: Latest updates to venues and schedule

LAHORE: While it is still probable for next year’s International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy to be held between three venues, sources suggested on Wednesday that there is a possibility of moving the matches held in Rawalpindi to different venues.

Matches set for the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium may be moved to Karachi and Lahore, due to the absence of spider cameras, which means the venue does not meet the standards for the Champions Trophy. Sources also reported that all matches involving India are being scheduled for Dubai, although the hybrid format has not yet been officially confirmed.

The Dubai venue may supplant the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium as the third venue, as managing four venues simultaneously would incur high costs, sources claimed the ICC said. Among the costs would be the increased budget for camera installation, hotel accommodations, travel, and branding.

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While the ICC would prefer to keep the venues at a maximum of three, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly keen on hosting matches in the previously announced three stadiums.

A schedule for the tournament is expected to be announced today, according to sources, however the ICC will need to consult stakeholders before they announce the final venues.

The new hybrid format, which sets matches between Pakistan and India in ICC events to take place at a neutral venue, has reportedly been agreed upon by the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and will be in effect until 2027, according to sources.

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