Islamabad, July 21 (IANS) Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi may invite India for a T20 bilateral series at a neutral venue in 2025.

However, the board (PCB) is adamant on its decision not to allow the Champions Trophy matches to be shifted out of Pakistan.

PCB sources also said that Naqvi will invite India for a T20 series at a neutral venue during 2025 when he meets BCCI secretary Jay Shah on the sidelines of 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 likely to be scheduled during the free days of the two teams after the Champions Trophy,” a PCB source said.

This discussion is going to be a key part of the annual conference. The agenda includes the possibility of shifting the Champions Trophy matches to a neutral venue, especially after concerns raised by the Indian government and the BCCI, which indicated that the Men-in-Blue may not be allowed to travel to Pakistan amid security and political concerns.

Pakistan has said that it will ensure that all the matches of the Indian cricket team are played in Lahore and the Indian team will stay in the same hotel throughout the series. It also said that being in one city will make it easier to provide full security to the visiting side.

Moreover, the PCB recently announced that it has acquired a piece of land near the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore to build a 5-star hotel. Sources revealed that the PCB plans to build the hotel on its own and plans to complete the construction by early next year.

PCB sources said the newly built 5-star hotel will eliminate the need for teams to stay in distant hotels, thus eliminating road closures for security.

Notably, the PCB chief and Jay Shah are also expected to meet on the sidelines of the ICC Annual Conference in Colombo. Sources said Naqvi will try to convince Shah to send the Indian team to Pakistan. However, the Indian government – not the BCCI – will take the final decision on this.

The Indian cricket team had refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup last year, due to which the matches were held in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan and India have not played a bilateral series since 2012, with the Indian government restricting cricket matches with Pakistan to ICC or ACC events.

–IANS

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