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The Pakistan Cricket Board has identified Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi as venues for next year's Champions Trophy and continues to insist that the tournament will remain in the country despite speculation of a 'hybrid model' being considered to boost India's participation to guarantee. The Champions Trophy, which was last held in England in 2017, is tentatively expected to be held in February-March next year. India has not yet confirmed its participation and there is speculation that the ICC could adopt the 'hybrid model' and hold the country's matches at a neutral venue if the team does not get government permission to travel. The ICC has already made it clear that it will not ask any member state to defy government policy.
“We have sent the fixtures for the matches in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said at a press conference in Lahore.
“The ICC security team came and we had a very good meeting. They have looked at the arrangements here and we will also share plans for the stadium upgrade with them.
“We are trying to ensure that we host a very good tournament in Pakistan,” Naqvi said.
The PCB has been steadfast in its insistence that the tournament will not be modified in any way to accommodate India.
The 'Hybrid Model' of hosting was used during last year's Asia Cup. The Asian Cricket Council, headed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, held India's matches in Sri Lanka even though Pakistan was the official host of the tournament.
Naqvi also admitted that the condition of all three proposed venues is currently substandard when it comes to hosting international cricket matches.
“If you watch Gaddafi (here) it's good, but the viewing experience is not great for cricket. Football maybe, not cricket,” Naqvi said.
“We need to improve the facilities in the stadiums, where there are some old problems. Karachi is in bad shape. So on May 7, we will finalize the bids from international companies who will come and help us design.
“We are already late, but we have to do these upgrades within four to five months. It will be a very tough test, but we can do it,” concludes Naqvi.
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