Potential Shift of Champions Trophy 2025 If Pakistan Rejects ICC’s Conditions
The BCCI has denied Pakistan the chance to host the Champions Trophy 2025 unless a hybrid event model is adopted. The ICC has suggested that India’s matches be played in the UAE. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi claimed no talks on a hybrid model have taken place, and decisions regarding future events would be made by the government, not the PCB.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has effectively dashed Pakistan’s ambitions of hosting the 2025 Champions Trophy, as it will not send its team to Pakistan for the event. Reports indicate that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has mandated the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to adopt a hybrid model for the tournament, similar to the format used in last year’s Asia Cup, which would see India’s matches taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Failure to comply with this request might result in the relocation of the tournament to South Africa. In response to these developments, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi asserted that there had been no discussions regarding the proposed hybrid model. He stated, “No discussions have been held regarding a hybrid model as of today, and we are not ready to discuss such a model.” He further expressed that any decision concerning Pakistan’s participation in future events in India would ultimately lie with the government, rather than the PCB. He emphasized, “If we get a letter from India, I’ll have to go to my government and have to abide by their decisions. … The government will decide if Pakistan travels for any future event in India if they don’t come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The PCB will not decide that.”
The Champions Trophy is a significant event in the cricketing calendar, with the next iteration scheduled for 2025. The dynamics of hosting rights have been influenced by the geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly regarding the safety and logistics of Indian teams traveling to Pakistan. The ICC’s suggestion for a hybrid model reflects an attempt to mitigate these tensions by allowing matches involving India to occur outside Pakistan, helping to preserve the tournament’s integrity while accommodating security concerns.
The future of the Champions Trophy 2025’s location hinges on the PCB’s response to the ICC’s requirements. While the ICC has proposed a hybrid model to ensure India’s participation, the PCB’s resistance could lead to the event being moved to another country, such as South Africa. Both the PCB and the BCCI’s decisions are heavily influenced by governmental policies and their respective cricketing agendas, demonstrating the complex interplay between sports and international relations.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
