As the sun rises over the bustling streets of Karachi on Wednesday, cricket enthusiasts around the globe will hold their breath in anticipation. The ICC Champions Trophy makes its return after an eight-year hiatus, bringing together the sport’s top eight teams in a three-week cricketing carnival.
This time, the stakes are even higher — Pakistan will host an elite ICC competition for the first time since the 1996 ODI World Cup. A nation that has long yearned to host premier ICC events will finally get its moment in the spotlight. There is an important caveat though – India’s matches are going to be played in Dubai, UAE, which has been made an additional venue besides Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. The hybrid model introduced due to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan adds complexity to the whole affair.
