The issue surrounding the Champions Trophy 2025 is likely to be resolved on Wednesday (December 11) with the fate of the tournament currently hanging in balance, given the stand-off between the cricket boards of India and Pakistan.
According to a report published in IANS, the decision on the marquee event is expected to be announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the designated hosts for the Champions Trophy, has reportedly demanded a written assurance from the apex body on the hybrid model for future global tournaments after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) communicated to ICC that the Indian team will not travel across the border abiding by the policy of its government.
Amid the deadlock, PCB has agreed to adopt the hybrid model for the ICC tournament with India playing their matches in the UAE while the rest of the games will be held in Pakistan. India will also play the semifinal and final in the UAE, if they manage to qualify.
“Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants a written assurance from the World body (ICC) regarding a hybrid model for the future international events to be hosted by India. Decision on Champions Trophy most likely by Wednesday," sources told IANS on Monday (December 9).
Meanwhile, the Emirates Cricket Board is keeping a close tab on ICC’s decision on the Champions Trophy. As per sources, Dubai is all but confirmed to stage India’s matches.
Ahead of reaching any consensus on the matter, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi interacted with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday as the former has time and again said that the body would consult with the government before agreeing to any settlement.
The cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have been fraught with political and security issues since the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
While the arch-rivals last played a limited-overs series in 2012, their last meeting in Tests was way back in 2007. In this period, they've only clashed in multi-nation tournaments such as the World Cup and the Asia Cup.
Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year but India played all of their matches in Sri Lanka under the hybrid model.
As per the tentative schedule, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is slated to be played from February 19 to March 9. The high-octane India versus Pakistan clash is expected to be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 1.
(With IANS Inputs)
