Pakistan is to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Feb-March next year.
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has discussed challenges for ICC as the suspense surrounding of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 gets deeper. Pakistan was awarded hosting rights for the ICC event that will be played in February-March next year.
However, everything took a turn for worse, after the BCCI confirmed to ICC that Indian team will not be traveling to Pakistan for the tournament and requested that their matches be played at a neutral venue.
Pakistan, the official hosts, apparently agreed to a hybrid concept for the 2024 Champions Trophy, with India's matches likely taking place in Dubai. This idea comes with the caveat that future ICC events hosted by India use the same hybrid format.
However, BCCI has reportedly rejected this formula put forth by the PCB, citing that there are no security issues in India and hence there is no need for such an arrangement for ICC events held in India.
Aakash Chopra outlined three potential scenarios for the tournament's organization. He stated that the tournament's success depends on India's participation, which has enormous financial ramifications.
"In my opinion, only three options are there. Either Pakistan hosts it entirely at home without India, or be ready for the hybrid model, or else say they don't want to play this tournament at all. Every action has a consequence," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Chopra looked at the first scenario, in which Pakistan hosts the event without India's participation. He questioned the financial sustainability of this option, particularly given the significant broadcasting rights agreement with Disney Star that is predicated on India's participation.
"Let's assume Pakistan says the entire tournament should happen in Pakistan only, that it can happen without India. Firstly, Pakistan is getting about 600 crore for the hosting rights. In such a scenario, if it happens in Pakistan only and India isn't a part of it, how will it affect the Champions Trophy?" he said.
He noted the considerable disparity in money generated with and without India's presence, emphasizing the ICC and other participating nations' financial reliance on India's participation.
"It's very simple. With the $3.12 billion that Disney Star invested to procure the rights, there is a clause that India's participation is a must. If India participates, the money is huge, but if they don't, it's tiny. The Champions Trophy happening without India is absolutely impossible," Chopra added.
Chopra proposed the hybrid concept as the most viable option if Pakistan wants to host the event. This would entail some matches being played at a neutral location, like Dubai.
"The second model is the hybrid model. If some matches are held in Dubai, $4.50 million have already been allocated separately. Pakistan will lose a little bit in terms of tourism. However, if India reaches the final, that becomes a tricky one.
You will have to keep two venues ready. One is if India doesn't reach the final, the final will be in Pakistan, but if India reaches the final, it will be in Dubai, which leads to a slight logistical nightmare for the fans to travel also. It's not ideal but I don't think there is any other solution available. At this point in time, this is the best one," Chopra added.
As per the third option discussed by Chopra, Pakistan will lose the hosting rights if the complete tournament cannot be hosted in the country. He highlights the probable consequences of such a decision.
"The third is Pakistan say that they relinquish the hosting rights if the entire tournament is not held in Pakistan. That's a possibility. However, if that happens, Pakistan will have to face sanctions," Chopra observed.
He elaborated on Pakistan's financial ramifications, which included probable penalties, a loss of hosting revenues, and the expense of pre-tournament investments. He also noted how vulnerable Pakistan's cricket economy, particularly its grassroots growth, is to such financial losses.