Media reports suggest that Rawalpindi might be excluded from hosting Champions Trophy matches. Broadcasters have raised concerns over logistical challenges and increased costs associated with broadcasting the tournament from four different venues.
In response to these objections, matches at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium may be restricted to three venues: Karachi, Lahore, and Dubai.
Meanwhile, the official schedule for the Champions Trophy is expected to be announced today. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have reportedly reached an agreement regarding the tournament.
The news of Rawalpindi Stadium’s exclusion, coming just days before the schedule announcement, has disappointed local cricket fans. The tournament will be played under a hybrid model, as part of the “partnership or fusion” formula. Under this agreement, Pakistan will not tour India for any ICC events until 2026.
In the hybrid model, if India does not qualify for the semi-finals or final, the entire event will be hosted in Pakistan. However, if India reaches the semi-finals or final, one semi-final and the final will be held in the UAE.
The highly anticipated Pakistan-India match will also be played in Dubai, with India scheduled to play all three of its group-stage matches at the same venue.
As part of this arrangement, the ICC has agreed to award Pakistan the hosting rights for the Women’s Tournament after 2027. The decision regarding the knockout matches of the 2026 T20 World Cup will be finalized later.
