The International Cricket Council (ICC) is prepared to move forward with the Champions Trophy 2025, even if it means excluding Pakistan. Following a brief 15-minute virtual meeting on November 29, the ICC is reportedly leaning towards shifting the tournament out of Pakistan if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refuses to agree to a hybrid hosting model.
ICC prioritizes scheduling amid PCB-BCCI impasse
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to begin on February 19, 2025, but delays in finalizing the hosting rights have already caused the ICC to miss its mandatory 100-day schedule announcement deadline. With the majority of revenue and viewership stemming from India, the ICC appears to side with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which opposes sending its team to Pakistan due to government restrictions.
No support for PCB at the meeting
The PCB’s insistence on being the sole host found no backing from other cricket boards. The lack of support left the PCB isolated as most members aligned with India’s stance. An ICC official suggested that if the PCB does not agree to the hybrid model, the tournament could either be hosted outside Pakistan or proceed without their participation.
Proposed schedule by PCB
Despite the uncertainty, the PCB proposed the following schedule for the Champions Trophy:
- February 19: New Zealand vs Pakistan – Karachi
- February 20: Bangladesh vs India – Lahore
- March 1: Pakistan vs India – Lahore
- March 9: Final – Lahore
Potential consequences
With less than three months remaining, the tournament’s fate hangs in the balance. While further discussions between the PCB and BCCI are expected, the ICC appears resolute in ensuring the event proceeds, even if significant changes to the hosting arrangements are necessary.