PCB to invite India to participate in bilateral T20I series on neutral platform in 2025

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi is likely to invite India for a bilateral T20I series at a neutral venue in 2025.

However, the PCB seems keen to ensure that Champions Trophy matches are not held outside Pakistan.

PCB sources also reported that Naqvi will invite India for a T20 series at a neutral venue in 2025 where he will meet BCCI secretary Jay Shah at the ICC annual conference to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from July 19-22.

“The proposal will be discussed during Mohsin Naqvi’s meeting with Jay Shah (BCCI secretary) with matches possibly being scheduled during the off days of both teams after the Champions Trophy,” the PCB source said.

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The discussion will be a key part of the annual conference. The agenda includes a possible relocation of Champions Trophy matches to a neutral venue, especially after concerns from the Indian government and the BCCI, who suggested that the Men-in-Blue may not be allowed to travel to Pakistan due to security and political concerns.

Pakistan has maintained that it would ensure that all matches (CT) of the Indian cricket team are played in Lahore and that the Indian team would stay in the same hotel throughout the series. It also stated that it would be easier to provide complete security to the visiting side if it were in one city.

Moreover, PCB recently announced that it had purchased a piece of land adjacent to the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore to build a 5-star hotel. Sources revealed that PCB plans to build the hotel itself and complete the construction early next year.

PCB sources said the newly built five-star hotel would eliminate the need for teams to stay in remote hotels and would also eliminate the need to close roads for safety reasons.

READ MORE: ‘If India doesn’t come to Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh may follow the same path’: Former PCB chief

Interestingly, PCB chief and Jay Shah will also meet during the annual ICC conference in Colombo. Sources said that Naqvi will try to convince Shah to send the Indian team to Pakistan. However, the Indian government, and not the BCCI, would take a final decision.

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Last year, the Indian cricket team refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, resulting in the matches being held in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan and India have not played a bilateral series since 2012 as the Indian government restricted cricket matches involving Pakistan to ICC or ACC events.

Last year, the Indian cricket team refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, resulting in the matches being held in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan and India have not played a bilateral series since 2012 as the Indian government restricted cricket matches involving Pakistan to ICC or ACC events.