Pakistan got the rights to host the ICC Champions Trophy. But suspense over its location and schedule remains. The government did not allow the Indian team to go to Pakistan due to security reasons, due to which this tournament can be conducted under a hybrid model. For this, the International Cricket Council (ICC) had called an emergency meeting of the Executive Board on November 29 (Friday).
Pakistan made this condition!
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had objected to hosting this tournament under the ‘hybrid model’. However, his attitude has softened a bit. According to sources, the PCB has agreed to the hybrid model, but it has placed some conditions before the ICC.
PCB wants Lahore to be kept as backup for the title match. And if India does not reach the final, then the title match should be held in Lahore. Also, the PCB wants that when India hosts any ICC tournament, that tournament should also be on the ‘hybrid model’ and Pakistan should play its matches outside India. It means that Pakistan also no longer wants to come to India and play in ICC tournaments.
The ICC gave the final ultimatum to the PCB during its meeting on November 29. During this meeting, the ICC clearly asked the PCB to either adopt a ‘hybrid model’ or be prepared to withdraw from the competition. Now ICC is waiting for PCB’s reply. Now the ICC meeting will be called only when Pakistan is ready with the answer.
If Pakistan accepts the ‘hybrid model’, the match against India, a semi-final and the final will be held in the UAE. While the rest of the matches will be held in Pakistan and the hosting rights will be with Pakistan. If the tournament is postponed, the PCB will have to forfeit the hosting fee of $6 million (Rs 50.73 crore).
This could also lead to a big drop in PCB’s annual revenue of around $35 million (roughly Rs 296 crore). If the ‘hybrid model’ is not adopted, the ICC may also face problems as the official broadcaster Star may renegotiate its billion-dollar contract with the ICC.
The competition is likely to be held from February 19 to March 9. India has not played cricket in Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The Champions Trophy is returning to the ICC calendar for the first time since 2017. Pakistan won the last edition of the Champions Trophy held in England in 2017.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025
