The much-delayed final schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was set to announced at the start of this week after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had agreed to the ‘hybrid’ model for the tournament. But PCB’s new condition to agreeing to the proposal has put International Cricket Council (ICC) in a spot once again.
The PCB have said that they will agree to the ‘hybrid’ model for the tournament if a similar model is implemented in all ICC tournaments hosted by India in the near future. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have categorically slammed the door on Pakistan over this proposal claiming that there are no ‘security issues’ in India which would warrant such an agreement.
Before the ICC board meeting last Friday in Dubai, the PCB were firm in their stance that the Champions Trophy 2025 would not be conducted in a ‘hybrid’ model which will see India’s matches being played in a neutral venue, which in this case will be Dubai. But with BCCI refusing to budge and the ICC hinting at the possibility of shifting the entire Champions Trophy 2025 out of Pakistan in case the ‘hybrid’ model isn’t accepted, the PCB had very little choice.
” HERE BCCI RULE IN ICC ”
Salute to this person, he should try his best to get the Champion Trophy in Pakistan but BCCI rules in ICC, it will keep happening like this that we will try our best to get the Champion Trophy in Pakistan#ChampionsTrophy
pic.twitter.com/8wzC0ODV4L— Dilkesh (@one_handed17) December 1, 2024
According to an Indian Express report, any decision taken with regards to the Champions Trophy was going to have a bearing on all future ICC tournaments hosted by both India and Pakistan. And with India making it clear that they won’t be travelling across the border, Pakistan also want a similar arrangement in place.
The report adds that, “PCB wants the ICC to pick a neutral venue for Pakistan’s women’s team matches in the next year’s 50-over World Cup to be hosted by India. Similarly, for the three men’s events – T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy and 50-over World Cup – PCB wants a hybrid model in place which will ensure their team doesn’t need to travel to India.”
The BCCI are unlikely to accept this proposal from the PCB. The Indian cricket board have maintained security issues as a prime reason for not sending their team to Pakistan. Last month, the Indian government denied clearance to their blind cricket team to travel to Pakistan for the T20 World Cup security reasons. The BCCI’s contention is that there are no real security threats in India and there is no reason for them to accept a ‘hybrid’ model.
With PCB wanting a written assurance from ICC and if the BCCI doesn’t accept the model, it remains to be seen how the world body will react as the clock is ticking for the Champions Trophy 2025 with pressure from Mukesh Ambani-owned JioStar, the official broadcasters, to announce the final schedule.
