The International Cricket Council (ICC) held a brief virtual meeting on Friday to address the ongoing deadlock over the Champions Trophy 2025. While all 15 board members, including 12 full members and three associate nation representatives, participated, no resolution was reached.
The stalemate stems from India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. This has led to a potential reliance on the hybrid hosting model, a proposition met with opposition from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The ICC is set to reconvene in the coming days to work toward a viable solution.
Hybrid Model and PCB’s Concerns
The hybrid model, which involves Pakistan hosting some matches while India’s games are played in the UAE, appears to be the most practical option. Under this arrangement, Pakistan would host its matches and one semifinal, while India’s games, the other semifinal, and possibly the final would be staged in the UAE. If India does not make the final, the match could be held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Despite this compromise, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has argued that such a model should apply to all ICC events until 2031, including those hosted by India. Naqvi, currently in Dubai for discussions, has sought assurances from the ICC to address these concerns.
Alternative Hosting and Logistical Challenges
While relocating the entire tournament to a neutral venue remains an option, the logistical hurdles involved make it a daunting task, given the limited time remaining. Security concerns in Pakistan, heightened by recent political unrest in Islamabad, have further solidified India’s stance against traveling there. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) remains firm in its position, citing safety as a primary issue.
The Champions Trophy, scheduled for February 19 to March 9, 2025, was last held in 2017 in England. As time runs short, the ICC faces mounting pressure to finalize arrangements, with the hybrid model emerging as the most likely path forward despite PCB’s resistance.
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