The International Cricket Council (ICC) has called for an emergency board meeting on November 26 amidst uncertainty around Champions Trophy 2025. As per the norms, the schedule should have been finalised and out by now but India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan and the latter’s refusal to adopt the hybrid model has led to the delay.
Both Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will be there for the meeting including all other countries’ boards participating in the mega tournaments. The first agenda of the is the match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan along with group stages of the tournament.
As the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan, one of the semifinal match and the final will be played at a neutral venue. However, if PCB does not agree to a hybrid model, the entire Champions Trophy will be shifted out of Pakistan. As reported by Sports Tak earlier, South Africa is the ideal replacement to host the event.
Recently, there have been reports that defending champions Pakistan may opt out of Champions Trophy if they lose the hosting rights. In that case, there will be a discussion around the possibility of Champions Trophy without Pakistan as well.
“Many things needs to be discussed…lets hope for the best,” the source told Sports Tak on possibility of Pakistan’s absence from the event.
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After the meeting, the full schedule of the event will be announced. The tournament is set to begin on February 19 and the final will be played on March 9.
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Naqvi hopeful of hosting Champions Trophy in Pakistan
Meanwhile, PCB is preparing three venues — Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi — to host the mega tournament. PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi had written a letter to the ICC expecting a positive response.
“Every other team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come. No one has any concern. If India have any concerns, we will talk, and we will ensure that concerns are taken care of. I don’t think there is any reason why India can’t come to Pakistan. Hopefully, all the teams will come,” Naqvi had said during an inspection visit to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.