The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has requested formal written confirmation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) concerning the 2025 Champions Trophy. The PCB has stated it will agree to host the eight-team tournament in a hybrid format only if the ICC guarantees that Pakistan’s future matches against India in ICC or ACC events will be played at a neutral venue, rather than in India.
For context, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held discussions with the Indian government regarding Team India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Citing security concerns, the BCCI informed the PCB and ICC on November 12 that Team India would not travel to Pakistan.
PCB’s demand to ICC
“Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants a written assurance from the world body (ICC) regarding a hybrid model for the future international events to be hosted by India,”
Champions Trophy 2025 is planned to be disclosed by December 11.
The PCB stood firm, but the ICC cautioned them that the tournament would proceed with or without Pakistan. In response, they proposed a ‘collaboration or integration’ model, suggesting that the India vs Pakistan matches in upcoming ICC events be held in Dubai. However, the BCCI rejected this idea. The PCB then agreed to the hybrid model but put forward several conditions, one of which was that they would not travel to India to play against them in ICC events.
That’s the reason why the schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025 hasn’t been announced yet, despite three official ICC meetings on November 29, December 5, and December 7, no decision was taken. Decision on Champions Trophy most likely by Wednesday (December 11),
For those unfamiliar, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) engaged with the Indian government to deliberate on Team India’s travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy. Following concerns over security risks, the BCCI formally informed the PCB and ICC on November 12 that Team India would not participate in matches hosted in Pakistan.
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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.
