NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has slotted its team`s marquee Champions Trophy match against arch-foes India in Lahore on March 1 next year but the Board of Control of Cricket in India is yet to give its consent to the tentative schedule, a senior ICC Board member told the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency on Wednesday.

The tournament is slated from Feb 19 to March 9 with March 10 as reserve day. It is understood that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was invited to watch the T20 World Cup final in Barbados, submitted a 15-match schedule with all of India`s games kept in Lahore for security and logistical reasons.

`The PCB has submitted the draft of the 15-match ICC Champions Trophy. Seven games in Lahore, three in Karachi and five in Rawalpindi,` an ICC Board member said. `The opening match will be held in Karachi with the semi-finals in Karachi and Rawalpindi, final in Lahore. All India matches [including semifinal if the team qualifies] in Lahore,` the source added.

India have been clubbed with Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand in Group `A`.

Group `B` comprises Australia, South Africa, England and Afghanistan.

Recently, ICC head of events Chris Tetley met Mohsin in Islamabad after the world body`s security team inspected the venues and other arrangements. The last tournament that Pakistan hosted was the Asia Cup in 2023, conducted in a `hybrid model` with India playing their matches in Sri Lanka as the government refused to permit the players` travel across the border.

`All board chiefs of the ICC Champions Trophy participating countries [minus BCCI] have assured him of their complete support but BCCI will consult its government and update the ICC,` the source added.

The ICC, on its part, can`t force any Board to go against its government policy and it will be interesting to see as to when the BCCI takes a final call on the matter.-Agencies