Due to broadcasters’ objections to the Champions Trophy issue, dark clouds began to hang over the matches held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
According to media reports, Rawalpindi may miss out on the Champions Trophy cricket matches, as broadcasters have expressed concerns about logistical problems and increased costs in broadcasting the tournament from 4 separate locations.
Due to broadcasters’ objections, the matches held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium may be limited to just three locations – Karachi, Lahore and Dubai.
On the other hand, the official schedule of the Champions Trophy is expected to be announced today. An agreement has been reached between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on the issue of the tournament.
The news of no matches at Rawalpindi Stadium just a few days before the announcement of the Champions Trophy schedule is a setback for local cricket fans.
Meanwhile, under the partnership or fusion formula, the Champions Trophy will be played under a hybrid model, while the Pakistani team will not visit India for any ICC event until 2026.
In the Champions Trophy to be held under the hybrid model, if the Indian team does not reach the semi-finals or the final, the entire event will be played in Pakistan, otherwise, a semi-final and a final will be held in the United Arab Emirates upon the arrival of the Indian team.
The Pakistan-India match in the event will also be played in Dubai, while the Indian team will play its three group matches at the same venue.
If the hybrid model is accepted, the ICC will also host the Women’s tournament for Pakistan after 2027, while the issue of the knockout matches of the 2026 T20 World Cup will be decided later.
