The International Cricket Council (ICC) has come under scrutiny for its handling of the ongoing impasse surrounding the 2025 Champions Trophy. The tournament, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan, has been thrown into jeopardy after India’s refusal to travel to the country due to diplomatic tensions.
Despite India’s long-standing stance of not touring Pakistan, the ICC failed to anticipate the potential conflict when it awarded the hosting rights to the PCB. According to Cricbuzz, an unnamed “key official” criticized the ICC for not being more proactive in addressing the issue.
The official pointed out that India’s absence from the Champions Trophy was not raised as a concern in any of the 12 ICC Board meetings held since the tournament schedule was announced. This suggests that the ICC may have been complacent in its oversight of the situation.
The PCB has maintained its position that it will not agree to a hybrid model for the tournament, similar to the Asia Cup last year where India’s matches were played in Sri Lanka. The PCB insists that security is not an issue in Pakistan, citing the successful hosting of England and New Zealand recently.
The ICC has yet to respond to the PCB’s request for written confirmation from the BCCI regarding India’s inability to travel to Pakistan. The governing body is reportedly discussing the schedule with participating teams, but no decision has been made.
The PCB has also indicated that it is not willing to host the tournament outside of Pakistan, including in the UAE. This stance further complicates the situation, as the ICC may struggle to find an alternative venue that meets the requirements of all parties involved.
The launch event for the Champions Trophy, which was scheduled to take place in Lahore, has been postponed indefinitely. This is a clear indication that the tournament is facing significant challenges and its future remains uncertain.
