Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi made a notable decision on Monday by relinquishing the 30-seat VIP Hospitality Box at the Dubai International Stadium for the highly anticipated Champions Trophy match between India and Pakistan. He opted to allocate the proceeds to the PCB's financial resources. Reports indicate that he was offered approximately 400,000 dirhams (INR 94 lakh) for the exclusive tickets.

As per a report from Pakistani media, Naqvi was presented with the opportunity to utilize the VIP box in Dubai for himself, his family, and guests during the match scheduled for February 23. Nevertheless, he opted to sell the tickets, preferring to watch the match from the stands to fully immerse himself in the atmosphere and witness the support of fans for the Pakistan team on match days. He has already communicated his decision to the ICC and the Emirates Cricket Board.

Furthermore, the report mentioned that Naqvi intends to utilize the funds, along with other ticket revenues from the ICC, to enhance the stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Pindi.

India to face Pakistan on February 23

Defending champions Pakistan will commence the 2025 Champions Trophy tournament against New Zealand on Wednesday at the National Stadium in Karachi. In contrast, India will face Bangladesh in their opening match on Thursday. Nonetheless, the highly anticipated encounter between these two arch-rivals is set to take place in Dubai on Sunday.

In terms of Champions Trophy matchups, Pakistan has the upper hand over India, having secured victory in three out of their five encounters. One notable match occurred eight years ago during the final at the Oval, where India experienced a significant defeat by 180 runs, allowing Pakistan to claim their first title. Overall, Pakistan leads with a record of 73 wins to 57 losses against India in all One Day International (ODI) matches. However, India boasts a superior record of 18 wins to 8 losses in all multi-nation tournament meetings within this format. The last time India lost to Pakistan in an ODI was during the 2017 Champions Trophy final, after which they have triumphed in five consecutive matches, including a 117-run victory in Ahmedabad during the 2023 World Cup.

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