All cricket boards and fans stand on the edge of uncertainty as the International Cricket Council (ICC) prepares for a critical virtual board meeting on Tuesday, November 26. The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has transformed from a sporting event into a diplomatic chess match, with India’s firm stance against traveling to Pakistan taking the tournament into a maze. Pakistan, the original hosts for the Champions Trophy, have been consistent in their claim as well for hosting the mega event solely at home.
ICC to conduct meeting on Champions Trophy
As per Sports Tak, the ICC has scheduled a meeting to address the Champions Trophy issue that has been lingering ever since the schedule came out for the mega ICC event. At the heart of this drama lies the complex geopolitical challenge. India has categorically refused to send its cricket team to Pakistan, throwing the entire tournament into question. The emergency meeting will be a pivotal. In fact, it is also being rumored that 15 ICC board members are poised to vote on the tournament’s future.
Sources suggest a potential “hybrid model” might emerge as the compromise solution. This approach could mean matches being split between multiple venues, effectively addressing the political tensions. The semifinals and final are already being contemplated for neutral venues too, highlighting ICC’s preference to India.
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Tension for Champions Trophy
It is understood that the Indian government has denied permission to the team. While Pakistan has remained adamant over retaining the complete hosting right, the matter seems to be slipping out of their hands. Reports have claimed that the ICC could be mulling India or South Africa as the hosts if Pakistan do not consider the hybrid model.
Dragging India to court for refusing to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025 was one of the threats issued by Pakistan. The other threats include withdrawing from the tournament if a hybrid model is adopted, boycotting future ICC events where India will be participating in and writing a letter to the ICC seeking clarity on why India refused to travel to Pakistan.
ICC Champions Trophy Proposed Schedule
- February 19: New Zealand vs Pakistan – Karachi
- February 20: Bangladesh vs India – Lahore
- February 21: Afghanistan vs South Africa – Karachi
- February 22: Australia vs England – Lahore
- February 23: New Zealand vs India – Lahore
- February 24: Pakistan vs Bangladesh – Rawalpindi
- February 25: Afghanistan vs England – Lahore
- February 26: Australia vs South Africa – Rawalpindi
- February 27: Bangladesh vs New Zealand – Lahore
- February 28: Afghanistan vs Australia – Rawalpindi
- March 1: Pakistan vs India – Lahore
- March 2: South Africa vs England – Rawalpindi
- March 5 Semi-final: TBC vs TBC – Karachi
- March 6 Semi-final: TBC vs TBC – Rawalpindi
- March 9 Final: TBC vs TBC – Lahore
