The International Cricket Council (ICC) has scheduled a virtual meeting of its board of directors on Friday, November 29, to resolve the deadlock over the Champions Trophy, which remains uncertain following India’s decision to decline travel to Pakistan. The meeting is anticipated to deliver a definitive resolution that will be obligatory for all member boards.
Despite the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) consistently rejecting the viability of a hybrid model for the February 19-March 9, 15-match ICC tournament, the ICC seemingly has few options to consider. A hybrid arrangement, with 10 matches hosted in Pakistan and the remaining five, including a semifinal and the final, held in another nation, is likely to be tabled during the discussions.
As a potential middle ground, the ICC may seek to mitigate the effects of the hybrid model by agreeing to host both the semifinals and the final in Pakistan, if India does not advance to the semifinal or final stages. Although such an arrangement would present significant logistical and operational hurdles, this concession could be extended to the PCB in light of the exceptional situations. Preparations for the venues, including necessary hotel accommodations and travel arrangements, would be finalized in advance.
At present, the ICC is reportedly yet to finalize the venue for India’s matches. While the UAE, with its facilities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, stands out as a convenient and viable option, South Africa also emerges as a strong candidate owing to its favorable weather conditions during that time of year. It is anticipated that both the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) will be engaged in discussions shortly if such consultations have not already taken place.
The PCB is unlikely to immediately endorse the ICC’s anticipated decision favoring a hybrid model. However, with a significant majority of the ICC board—potentially through a formal vote among its 14 members—backing the proposal, the PCB may find itself with limited options. If the PCB rejects the hybrid model, the ICC board may also consider the alternative of relocating the entire tournament from Pakistan to a neutral venue.
The situation may unfold as follows: PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is likely to request 24-48 hours to consult with the Pakistani government. During this time, he would present the facts about the PCB’s minority stance at the ICC meeting and the overwhelming support for the hybrid model. It is anticipated that the PCB and government may ultimately concede, recognizing that a Champions Trophy without India would be negative to both the ICC and global cricket, potentially resulting in significant financial losses for Pakistan if the tournament is moved elsewhere.
The decision could have immediate consequences, with Pakistan potentially boycotting upcoming tournaments in India, including the Women’s World Cup, the men’s Asia Cup next year, and the T20 World Cup in 2026. However, such actions may be decided at a later stage.
The implications of Pakistan’s withdrawal from the Women’s World Cup remain unclear, but the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which recently sold broadcast rights to Sony for $170 million, might consider relocating next year’s Asia Cup from India to Sri Lanka or Bangladesh to maintain balance.
Jasir Basharat is a cricket enthusiast capturing the heart of the game through insightful analysis and storytelling sharing his passion for the sport through engaging narratives. He is a business graduate from University of Kashmir.
