The International Cricket Council (ICC) finds itself in a delicate diplomatic standoff as the hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 remain unresolved. What was expected to be a straightforward tournament planning process has transformed into a complex geopolitical chess match between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Recent developments has been a series of postponed meetings between the ICC and member countries, with the latest reports from Geo News (Pakistan) suggesting continued uncertainty. The meeting, initially scheduled for Friday, November 29, has been pushed back multiple times, reflecting the deep-seated tensions surrounding the tournament’s hosting arrangements.
Jay Shah to have final say for ICC Champions Trophy?
Initially, ICC decided to have a meeting on November 29 with all cricket boards, including PCB and BCCI. But it lasted only 15 minutes, with no conclusive decision reaching. It was shifted to November 30 but now reports have emerged that fans have to wait till December 1 to find an answer from the ICC.
Incredibly, December 1 also coi-incides with the date when BCCI’s current Secretary, Jay Shah, takes the status of being the new ICC Chairman. On 27 August, Jay Shah was elected as unopposed chairman after current Chair Greg Barclay decided not to seek a third term.
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At the heart of the dispute is Pakistan’s resolute position to host the entire tournament within its borders. The PCB has invested massively in upgrading cricket infrastructure, making it clear that they are not willing to compromise on their hosting rights. This stance has created considerable pressure on the ICC and put the tournament in a precarious position. BCCI, meanwhile, has been adamant as well. Since Day 1, they have been clear about not opting to go to Pakistan, albeit due to the Indian government’s disapproval.
The proposed hybrid model, which was the case during the Asia Cup 2023, suggests a compromise where India might play its matches in the UAE, with one semifinal and the final potentially relocated from Pakistan. However, this proposal has been met with strong resistance from the PCB.
