A final call on the venue of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is expected when the International Cricket Council (ICC) board meets on Friday.
The ongoing saga shows absolutely no signs of coming to an end. The hosting rights are currently held by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Although the PCB wanted to host the entire competition in Pakistan, India they announced that they will not cross the border due to security reasons.
India-Pakistan relations are not short of conflicts
There was a similar situation last year too when PCB had the Asia Cup hosting rights. Since the Indian government did not give BCCI the green light to send the team to Pakistan, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had to come up with a hybrid model.
As a result, while Pakistan hosted several matches, India played all their matches, including the final, in Sri Lanka. Recent reports have suggested that the ICC has also proposed a similar model, but the PCB has rejected it. With the Champions Trophy 2025 less than three months away, the ICC finds itself in a difficult position.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 without India on ICC agenda:
However, the governing body needs to find a solution soon to ensure that the Champions Trophy 2025 goes off without a hitch. According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, the top of the game is currently considering three options.
One of these options is to host the entire Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan without Team India. A hybrid model is also on the ICC’s agenda, along with the option of holding the entire tournament outside Pakistan. The three options currently being explored by the ICC are:
- A hybrid model where Pakistan hosts most of the matches but the games involving India are played outside Pakistan.
- All Champions Trophy will be held outside Pakistan with PCB’s option to retain hosting rights.
- The entire event is held in Pakistan, but without India.
The report further noted that the option to play the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 without India is a non-starter as it has a negative financial impact on the competition. A hybrid model is also off the table as a PCB official told the news agency:
“The PCB has asked Pakistan to make a reasonable or acceptable offer before the ICC Board meeting tomorrow.”
PCB denies stalling
The report also stated that the chances of the hybrid model have increased slightly. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi recently said that any decision given by the ICC board to the Pakistan government will be accepted by the board. Before that, he had publicly rejected the hybrid model.
At the same time, Naqvi also threatened that Pakistan is unwilling or unable to play in India in the future. With India set to host the Women’s World Cup next year, the Asia Cup in 2025, the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026 and the Champions Trophy in 2029, Pakistan’s position could spell more trouble for the cricketing fraternity.
“Whatever we do, we will make sure that the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved,” Naqvi said. “But I repeat, and I’m sure you know what I mean, it’s impossible for Pakistan to play in India and they’re not coming here.”
