The International Cricket Council (ICC) appears prepared to leave the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to contend with its grievances and proceed with hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Having attempted to mediate and resolve the deadlock between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the ICC now seems inclined to take a definitive stance.
With the bulk of viewership and revenue stemming from the BCCI and the Indian cricket team, the ICC is prepared to relocate the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 entirely out of Pakistan if the PCB refuses to accept a hybrid hosting model. Initially, a meeting was scheduled yesterday to finalize the tournament’s schedule for the eight participating teams. For context, the ICC is required to release an event schedule 100 days before its commencement, but the ongoing conflict between the BCCI and PCB has already caused this deadline to be missed.
PCB Left Without Support at ICC Assembly
The meeting, expected to last several hours, concluded within just 15 minutes as the PCB remained firm about being the sole host for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. None of the other participating boards lent their support to the PCB’s stance, instead tacitly aligning with the BCCI and India. Further discussions, particularly between the BCCI and PCB, are anticipated, but as the situation stands. As the tournament is less than three months away tournament may be entirely relocated from Pakistan if an agreement is not reached promptly.
“All members are aware of India’s stance and aligned with their decision of not travelling to Pakistan due to no clearance from the government. At this stage, don’t be surprised if the tournament is played out of Pakistan, and even without Pakistan. If PCB doesn’t accept the hybrid model, there is a bright possibility of that happening too,” an ICC official said.
Champions Trophy: PCB’s Proposed Schedule
- February 19: New Zealand vs Pakistan – Karachi
- February 20: Bangladesh vs India – Lahore
- February 21: Afghanistan vs South Africa – Karachi
- February 22: Australia vs England – Lahore
- February 23: New Zealand vs India – Lahore
- February 24: Pakistan vs Bangladesh – Rawalpindi
- February 25: Afghanistan vs England – Lahore
- February 26: Australia vs South Africa – Rawalpindi
- February 27: Bangladesh vs New Zealand – Lahore
- February 28: Afghanistan vs Australia – Rawalpindi
- March 1: Pakistan vs India – Lahore
- March 2: South Africa vs England – Rawalpindi
- March 5 Semi-final: TBC vs TBC – Karachi
- March 6 Semi-final: TBC vs TBC – Rawalpindi
- March 9 Final: TBC vs TBC – Lahore
Read more: Major Indian Politician Says India Should Travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 25
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.
