ICC contemplates change in format for Champions Trophy

ICC looking at resources to get the extra bucks to increase BCCI's share.

ICC Champions Trophy | Getty

As if the uncertain hosting right of ICC Champions Trophy 2021 wasn’t enough, the International Cricket Council is now contemplating about reducing the 50-over event to a Twenty20 championship.

As per the reports in Ahmedabad Mirror, the main rationale behind this move is monitory. It is learnt that the ICC is looking at resources to generate extra bucks in order to increase BCCI's share by $ 115 million ($ 405 million in total). Since the governing body had committed 40 million each to new full members Ireland and Afghanistan, they have will have to bring something new to the table to achieve the required number.

Apparently, the current flow of revenue is not adequate enough to fulfill the deal. Given the fact that fans turn up in huge numbers for the Twenty-20 game as compared to the 50-over, the ICC is looking to intensify the revenue flow by converting the Champions Trophy into a World Twenty20.

It is pertinent to mention here that the worth of a global Twenty20 tournament is almost double of the 50-over showpiece event. If the ICC officially approves it in the next few months then the next edition of Champions Trophy will be played in 2022 instead of 2021. The next edition of ICC World T20 is already slated to be held in 2020 in Australia.

Due to the ongoing tax issue, ICC is also looking for the alternative venues for the next edition of ICC Champions Trophy. It is learnt that the governing bodies get tax exemptions from the host government for every major sporting tournament, but the ICC hasn't got any dispensation from the Indian government so far.

It will be interesting to see how things unfold in the next few weeks concerning the hosting rights and change in format of Champions Trophy.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 14 Feb, 2018

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