Champions Trophy 2025 to shift from Pakistan as ICC unlikely to go against BCCI: Reports: Things still look bleak for Pakistan as they look for their chances to comprehensively host the Champions Trophy 2025. While it is too early to comment on the status of next year’s Champions Trophy, BCCI’s unwavering stance of not visiting Pakistan may hurt their aspirations to stage the mega ICC event on their soil.
As per the reports, the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025 is going to be on the cards until BCCI confirms its tour to Pakistan.
Notably, BCCI’s unmoved approach to not visit Pakistan in 2023 pushed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to host the Asia Cup 2023 in the hybrid model. While some matches of the event were held in Pakistan, which was the official host of the event, the remaining, including India’s matches, were staged in Sri Lanka.
A similar case is expected to arise next year as Pakistan gears up to host the Champions Trophy 2025. UAE is being kept as a backup option to host the ICC event in a hybrid model.
Pakistan chief to seek assurance from ICC, BCCI
The reports of the Champions Trophy 2025 emerged as the ICC’s board meeting is underway in Dubai. While the meeting has nothing to do with the Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is looking to have some discussions with the BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, and the ICC officials on the sidelines of the meeting.
If the reports are to be believed, the PCB chair wants to seek some assurance either from the BCCI or the ICC big-wigs as they prepare to host the Champions Trophy 2025.
“Every member can raise concerns for discussion at Board meetings and then it would go to a vote. But if the government (of a member nation) expressly say that they can’t play there, ICC would need to look for an alternative,” a veteran administrator, who has attended multiple board meetings, told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“….because ICC Board’s position remains that it doesn’t expect its members to go against any policy/instructions issued by its own government,” he said.
BCCI might take softer stance for Champions Trophy 2025
It’s worth noting that the Pakistani government had allowed its players to visit India in 2023 for the ODI World Cup. Despite Pakistan’s statements of not travelling to India ahead of the event, they decided to give clearance to their players.
Moreover, unlike the Asia Cup 2023, which is a continental tournament, the Champions Trophy 2025 is a global event, which might prompt the BCCI or the Indian government to take a softer stance.
“The BCCI would obviously be compelled to look at it from the point of view that the Pakistan government allowed its team to play in the World Cup in India last year.
“So, this being a global event and not a continental one like the Asia Cup, the Indian government might take a softer stance. BCCI president Roger Binny and VP Rajiv Shukla had travelled to Pakistan during the Asia Cup,” hoped the ICC board member.
However, the ultimate decision to send Indian players to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 remains with the Indian government. It remains to be seen what’s in the store as far as India’s visit to Pakistan is concerned in 2025.
Head to ICC’s official website for more details.
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