Are you ready for a thrilling clash between two cricketing giants – India and Pakistan? The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a high-profile Champions Trophy encounter between the two teams scheduled to take place in Lahore on March 1, 2023. This news comes from a senior ICC Board member who shared the details with PTI.

Mark your calendars from February 19 to March 9 for the Champions Trophy, with March 10 set as the Reserve Day. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi proposed a schedule of 15 matches, with all of India’s games to be held in Lahore for security and logistical reasons.

“The PCB has submitted the draft of the 15-match ICC Champions Trophy. Seven games in Lahore, three in Karachi, and five in Rawalpindi,” revealed an ICC Board member.

The tournament will kick off in Karachi, followed by two semifinals in Karachi and Rawalpindi, with the final showdown in Lahore. In Group A, India will face off against rivals Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Group B includes formidable teams like Australia, South Africa, England, and Afghanistan.

Recent events saw ICC’s Chris Tetley meeting with Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad after a thorough inspection of venues and arrangements by the ICC security team. Pakistan previously hosted the Asia Cup in 2023 using a ‘Hybrid Model’ due to Indian players not being allowed to travel to Pakistan. India played their matches in Sri Lanka during that event.

While other participating countries have shown support for the Champions Trophy, the BCCI is yet to provide their approval pending consultations with the government. The ICC faces a sensitive situation due to the restrictions placed by governments on sporting events, and all eyes are on the BCCI for their final decision.