The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has quashed the reports of proposing an offshore T20I series against India. The board stands focused on the smooth conduct of the Champions Trophy.
There were reports about PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi holding discussions with the BCCI officials on the possibility of a T20I series at an offshore venue. However, according to PTI, there are no proposals under consideration as the PCB solely focuses on hosting the ICC event next year in February.
“There is no such proposal on the table or under consideration because right now the biggest challenge for us is to organise the Champions Trophy in a befitting manner and we also have a packed international schedule,” a highly reliable source said.
The source said the PCB’s two main targets at the ICC meetings in Colombo were to get the budget approved for the Champions Trophy and then to get assurances from the ICC and BCCI that India would send their team to play in Pakistan in the showpiece.
“That is our main agenda right now. So, there is no question of contemplating any bilateral venture with India,” the source added.
India have suspended bilateral series with Pakistan since 2012 after Pakistan visited the country for a short white ball series.
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Both the countries have not played any Test series since Pakistan’s tour to India in 2007.
Even the participation of India in the Champions Trophy remains on tenterhooks with speculations doing rounds about Men In Blue wanting to play their matches outside Pakistan.
Earlier on Monday, News18 CricketNext reported that there was no discussion around the 2025 Champions Trophy. The matter wasn’t on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) today and there were no discussions even on the sidelines.
“It wasn’t on the agenda so it wasn’t brought up or discussed during the Annual General Meeting,” an official who attended the AGM told CricketNext.
(With Agency Inputs)
