ICC may shift Champions Trophy Final from Lahore to Dubai if India qualifies: Report
The International Cricket Council (ICC) may move the 2025 Champions Trophy final from Lahore to Dubai if India qualifies, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is hesitant to send the team to Pakistan due to ongoing political tensions. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has secured the hosting rights for the tournament, but the BCCI reportedly prefers a hybrid model for the event.
According to a report in the Telegraph UK, the uncertainty over the final venue will persist until days before the summit clash, should India reach the final. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, however, remains confident that the BCCI will eventually agree to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to run from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
"The Indian team should come. I don't see them canceling or postponing their participation, and we are confident we will host all the teams in the Champions Trophy," Naqvi stated.
The PCB has earmarked Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi as the primary venues for the tournament and has submitted a draft schedule to the ICC. Naqvi added that the stadiums would be in optimal condition to host the matches in February and March.
The report highlights a similar precedent set last year when the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) adopted a hybrid model for the Asia Cup, allowing India to play its matches in Sri Lanka instead of Pakistan due to political considerations.
In response to queries about the Indian team’s participation, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla stated that the Indian government will take the final call on whether the team will travel to Pakistan. "For international tours, we always seek the permission of the government. It’s up to the government to decide whether our team should go to any country," Shukla remarked.
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Man killed in flat ceiling plaster crash, wife and son hurt
Thane (PTI): A 45-year-old man was killed, and his wife and son were injured when a portion of plaster from the ceiling collapsed in their flat in a seven-storey building in Thane on Saturday, officials said.
Chief of the Regional Disaster Management Cell, Yasin Tadvi, said the 16-year-old building is not listed in the "dangerous" category.
"The incident occurred in Karumdev Society at about 3 am. The plaster of the hall in a flat on the terrace floor suddenly fell while the occupants were asleep", he said.
Of the four people who were inside the room, two suffered minor injuries and were discharged after primary treatment, Tadvi stated.
The injured persons were identified as Arpita More (42), who suffered minor head injuries, and her son Arush More (16), who sustained injuries to both legs.
Manoj More (45), who sustained chest injuries, died during treatment at a private hospital.
