The International Cricket Council (ICC) faces a dilemma over the hosting of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to send the Indian men’s cricket team to Pakistan, citing security concerns. This has angered the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has the legal hosting rights for the event.
The PCB is unwilling to accept a hybrid model, where some matches would be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as it has done so on multiple occasions in the past. The situation puts pressure on the ICC to find a solution.
The ICC has three options:
1. Convince the PCB to agree to the BCCI’s hybrid model proposal, which would see five of the 15 games of the tournament being played in the UAE.
2. Move the Champions Trophy out of Pakistan entirely, but this could lead to the PCB withdrawing its team’s participation.
3. Postpone the Champions Trophy indefinitely, which would have significant financial implications for both the ICC and the PCB.
The PCB has hosted several top teams in Pakistan in recent years, including New Zealand, England, and Australia. It has also sought an explanation from the ICC over the BCCI’s reluctance to send the Indian team to Pakistan.
The PCB has been informed by the Pakistan government that the hybrid model is “off the table.” The ICC is now facing a difficult decision that could have major consequences for the future of cricket in Pakistan.
