Contrary to what the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Mohsin Naqvi said yesterday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been informed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that no Indian cricket players will be travelling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This is due to the instructions by the Indian government.
The coveted eight-team competition, which is set to take place at three locations in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, is severely disrupted by this. Cricket fans may be experiencing déjà vu here as a “hybrid model” came to the rescue during last year’s Asia Cup, as teams alternated between Pakistan and Sri Lanka to keep the action moving.
ICC Champions Trophy to be played in hybrid mode?
According to ESPNcricinfo, BCCI has made their stand clear and another discussions for a hybrid model is aptly in place. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had been optimistic about hosting the event on home soil, but the BCCI’s stance has forced a rethink. The ICC will now have to explore alternative arrangements, likely involving a hybrid model that sees matches split between Pakistan and a neutral venue. While the UAE and Sri Lanka are being considered as potential neutral hosts, the PCB’s initial reluctance to accept a hybrid model could make the matters interesting.
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Although PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had previously rejected a hybrid approach, it appears that the BCCI’s adamant position has compelled an another look. This surprising development by the neighboring country seems to have been prompted by the PCB’s earlier gesture of sending the Pakistani squad to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, even though India had declined to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup in the same year.
Delay in Champions Trophy schedule announcement
Eight teams will compete for the Champions Trophy, with two groups of four, semi-finals, and a final. Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa are among the teams who are competing. The event will begin 100 days from Monday, November 11, though the schedule and tickets information have not yet been made public. Additionally, a scheduled announcement event in Lahore next week is probably going to be postponed due to these developments, ESPNcricinfo has been informed.
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