The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to convene a key virtual board meeting on November 29, aiming to resolve the ongoing impasse over the hosting of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The meeting is expected to be pivotal in determining whether the tournament will take place in Pakistan, as initially planned, or if a compromise can be reached in light of the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan over travel restrictions.
The primary obstacle remains India’s refusal to send its team to Pakistan due to security and political concerns. This decision was communicated to the ICC by the Indian government two weeks ago, effectively ruling out India’s participation in Pakistan under the current arrangements. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected proposals for a “hybrid model,” which would allow India to play its matches in a neutral venue while Pakistan hosts the rest of the tournament.
Despite the resistance from India, the PCB, which was awarded the hosting rights for the 2021 Champions Trophy, is holding firm on its stance that the entire tournament should be staged in Pakistan. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reiterated his position, citing the importance of hosting the event in its entirety at three key venues: Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. Naqvi also expressed willingness to engage in talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to break the deadlock, though no formal dialogue has yet been initiated between the two cricketing boards.
The decision over the tournament’s location has been delayed, with the ICC unable to finalize the dates or schedule for the event, which is slated to take place between February 19 and March 2025. Under normal circumstances, the ICC typically announces the schedule for global tournaments around 100 days before the event, but the ongoing dispute has left the tournament in limbo.
The outcome of the upcoming board meeting could involve a vote among ICC members, as both parties seem unwilling to shift from their entrenched positions. The ICC, which has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, is under pressure to find a solution that will allow the tournament to go ahead as planned.
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Notably, the meeting will be the final one chaired by Greg Barclay, the current ICC Chairman, who will be succeeded by Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, on December 1. Shah’s role in the matter is particularly significant, as his influence within the BCCI could play a crucial role in shaping the decision.
The issue has further been complicated by political unrest in Pakistan. Naqvi, who also holds a prominent position in Pakistan’s government as the Interior Minister, has been occupied with efforts to address political protests led by the opposition party PTI, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
As the ICC seeks to address the Champions Trophy dilemma, the November 29 meeting could prove to be a turning point in the battle over its hosting. A final decision on the venue and format of the tournament is expected to be made after consensus is reached among the ICC’s 12 Full Member countries and other key stakeholders.