After prolonged negotiations, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has conditionally agreed to a hybrid model for hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to confirm the arrangement, as unresolved issues with broadcasters persist.
The situation arose after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the ICC that the Indian team would not travel to Pakistan due to the lack of government clearance. This prompted discussions on adopting a hybrid hosting model, akin to the one used during the Asia Cup.
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However, the PCB initially rejected this model, emphasizing its unwillingness to share hosting rights and urging the ICC to provide an alternative solution. The PCB insisted that Pakistan would not tolerate a scenario where its team played in India while the Indian team refused to play in Pakistan.
New Deadlock
Final: Where Will It Be?
India has raised objections to the new formula.
If they qualify, they have refused to go to Pakistan for the decisive Champions Trophy clash. The Pakistan Cricket Board has responded: “Don’t expect us to travel to India for any final either.”— Saleem Khaliq (@saleemkhaliq) December 2, 2024
On Friday, ICC Board Directors held a brief 15-minute meeting in Dubai to address the impasse. PCB Chairman Najam Sethi and senior officials also engaged in private talks with BCCI representatives to resolve the deadlock.
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To break the stalemate, the PCB proposed a “partnership formula,” suggesting that India and Pakistan play their ICC event games at neutral venues like Dubai over the next three years, starting with the Champions Trophy 2025.
All Finals for the Next Three Years Should Also Be Held in third country: Pakistan’s Clear Stance
No response has been given to the proposal so far, A broadcasters’ conference will be held on Thursday in Dubai, where the ICC will also have to share the Champions Trophy schedule— Saleem Khaliq (@saleemkhaliq) December 2, 2024
However, the proposal has encountered resistance. The BCCI has reportedly refused to play in Pakistan, even if it reaches the Champions Trophy final. In response, the PCB declared it would also refuse to travel to India for any final. Journalist Saleem Khaliq highlighted the PCB’s stance that all ICC finals for the next three years should take place at neutral venues.
The ICC is expected to address these issues during a broadcasters’ conference in Dubai on Thursday, where the Champions Trophy schedule will also be discussed. The debate underscores the broader challenges of organizing cricket’s marquee events amid geopolitical tensions.
