The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to put pressure on the International Cricket Council (ICC) with its new demand over the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Also, the final decision on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, to be held in Pakistan, will be announced on Wednesday, according to a new report.
Also Read: Revealed: How can India qualify for WTC finals after SA almost booked a spot following SL series win?
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 likely to be played in hybrid model
The biggest competition for over-50s will be played in a hybrid model, according to several media reports. This is because the Indian government denied permission to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to send the Indian team to neighboring countries.
Political relations between India and Pakistan have not been good for a long time and the two teams have not faced each other in a bilateral series for over a decade.
The Indian government identified a threat to the safety of players in Pakistan. Therefore, they refused permission for the trip. This decision was conveyed by the BCCI to the ICC and multiple meetings have already been held between the ICC board members to resolve the matter.
Pakistan demands new model for future ICC events in India
India’s stance has not gone down well with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), with the latter making significant demands to accept the hybrid model for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
PCB feels it is unfair that the Indian team does not visit Pakistan and the Men in Green travel to India for ICC events. The Mohsin Naqvi-led board has proposed a new model, under which both India and Pakistan would play their matches at a neutral venue when ICC events are held in their countries.
PCB wants this new model to be followed at least in the current ICC business cycle (2024-27), if not in the entire current events cycle till 2031. India will host several tournaments in this cycle, but in the ICC T20 World Cup and in ICC. India will co-host the Cricket World Cup.
PCB wants written guarantee in major new lawsuit
Before officially accepting the hybrid model for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board demanded written assurance from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the new model to be followed in future ICC tournaments.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants a written assurance from the world body (ICC) regarding a hybrid model for future international events to be hosted by India. The decision on the Champions Trophy is likely to come on Wednesday,” sources told IANS on Monday.
The Indian national cricket team will reportedly play its matches in Dubai and the venue will also host the semi-final and final, subject to the qualification of the Rohit Sharma-led team.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played from February 19 to March 9, but the full tournament schedule is yet to be announced. However, recently, broadcaster Star Sports launched the promotion of the competition.