The fate of the Champions Trophy is likely to be decided tomorrow after the ICC meeting was postponed today.
Dubai: Finalization of the Champions Trophy 2025 schedule remains deadlocked as the International Cricket Council (ICC) Executive Board meeting has been postponed till Saturday (tomorrow).
The executive board meeting today failed to decide on an agenda item regarding the fate of the Champions Trophy, whether Pakistan will retain its hosting rights or the tournament will be played on a hybrid model at India’s request.
ESPNcricinfoA cricket website reported that the International Cricket Council (ICC) during today’s meeting, which lasted less than 15 minutes, directed board members including the PCB and BCCI to go ahead. Choose an escalation path that is acceptable to all parties.
The ICC was supposed to announce the schedule of the eight-nation tournament by November 20, but it has been delayed due to the BCCI’s refusal to travel to the host country.
The ICC board, which includes representatives from all 12 full member nations, is likely to make a final call on the venue for the 2025 Champions Trophy later this week.
The agenda includes options.
- Hybrid option, where most of the matches are in Pakistan but those involving India are played outside Pakistan.
- The tournament is played entirely outside Pakistan, with PCB holding the hosting rights.
- The entire event is played in Pakistan but without India
According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has conveyed its strong stance to the ICC, with chairman Mohsin Naqvi saying: “Whatever we do, we will ensure that Pakistan’s For the best results.”
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Chairman PCB on Thursday assured that the board will protect the best interests of cricket in Pakistan during the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting.
before that, Dawn, Quoting a PCB official, reported, “The PCB has informed the ICC not to introduce a hybrid model in Friday’s meeting as our government has refused to accept it. If ICC comes up with a solution other than the hybrid model, the PCB will go back to its government for its approval.
Pakistan, who won the last edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017, will host the tournament from February 19 to March 9. The upcoming event will be the first ICC event to be held in Pakistan since it co-hosted the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.
