The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 faces an unpredictable future

By Ian Omoro

Pakistan is preparing to host a global cricket event for the first time since it co-hosted the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka, with an eight-team competition from February 19 to March 9. appearance on the international fixture list since Pakistan won it in 2017, but the plans have been jeopardized by India’s refusal to compete in the neighboring country.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been informed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that it will not visit Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy after failing to get approval from the Indian government. The host, the Pakistan Cricket Board, is clear that there will be no hybrid arrangement where India plays its matches at a neutral venue. The PCB also sent a letter to the ICC asking the international organization to provide written confirmation of its position and that of the BCCI.

“We have received an email from the ICC in which they have said that India will not be coming to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy,” the PCB spokesperson said.

In 2012-2013, India and Pakistan played their most recent bilateral series. Since then, their only encounters have been at Asian Cricket Council and ICC tournaments. Using a hybrid format, India played its matches in Sri Lanka during the 2023 Asia Cup, which was hosted by Pakistan.

The UAE, the ICC headquarters, could host the event in any hybrid scenario following India’s refusal to play in Pakistan. On November 8, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that he was unwilling to accept a shared hosting approach and that there had been “no discussion” on such a proposal.

“So far there has been no discussion about any hybrid model, and we are not prepared to accept one. The Indian media is reporting about it, but no formal communication has reached the PCB,” Mohsin said.

According to a report on Cricbuzz, the ICC may impose sanctions on the Pakistan Cricket Board if it continues its tough stance and the Champions Trophy is affected. ICC funding could be significantly reduced if PCB withdraws. PCB could lose out on more than $65 million in hosting fees if the tournament is rescheduled or postponed. Any financial loss would be even more devastating for the PCB, which recently upgraded three venues for the Champions Trophy: Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore.

The PCB has assured the ICC that security is not an issue in the country that recently hosted England and New Zealand to great success, and has made the same commitment for the Champions Trophy.

The ICC is unlikely to hold a tournament without India due to the significant revenue losses it would incur, and moving matches to another country could jeopardize Pakistan’s participation.