Pakistan Cricket Board Confirms England T20I Squad Announcement, Assures India's Participation in 2025 Champions Trophy

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that the squad for the upcoming England T20I series will be announced on Wednesday. The four-match series against England will be Pakistan's last outing before the T20 World Cup 2024.

Naqvi also addressed the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. He assured that all eight teams, including India, will participate despite any propaganda. "The ICC's security team has visited and had a positive meeting, and the PCB is working to ensure a successful tournament," Naqvi stated.

However, Naqvi acknowledged that the current condition of the proposed venues, including Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and National Stadium in Karachi, is sub-standard and requires significant upgrades within the next 4-5 months. "It will be a challenging task," he admitted.

Despite speculation about a 'hybrid model' to accommodate India's participation, the PCB has been steadfast in insisting that the tournament will not be altered in any way. The initial draft schedule includes all matches, including those featuring India, being played in Pakistan.

Why this matters: The 2025 Champions Trophy will mark the return of the prestigious event after an 8-year hiatus and will be the first ICC event hosted by Pakistan in nearly three decades. The participation of all teams, particularly India, holds significant importance for the success and global appeal of the tournament.

In addition to the Champions Trophy preparations, Naqvi outlined Pakistan's busy schedule in May, which includes a three-match T20I series against Ireland followed by the four-match series against England. Pakistan will then travel to the United States for their T20 World Cup group matches, including a highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals India on June 9.

Former South African batter Gary Kirsten, who will take charge as Pakistan's white-ball coach, expressed his ambition, stating, "If I can lead the team to victory in one of the three upcoming ICC events during my tenure, it would be an amazing achievement." Kirsten emphasized the importance of establishing a good team environment, focusing on consistency and continuity, and enabling the players to perform at their absolute maximum.

Key Takeaways

• PCB to announce Pakistan squad for England T20I series on Wednesday.
• Pakistan to host 2025 Champions Trophy; ICC security team visit positive.
• Venues require significant upgrades within 4-5 months for Champions Trophy.
• Pakistan to play T20Is against Ireland, England, and T20 WC group matches in US.
• New coach Gary Kirsten aims to lead Pakistan to victory in one of three upcoming ICC events.