Champions Trophy 2025 is just three months away but the tournament’s schedule is still undecided. Pakistan holds the hosting rights of the tournament but faces a major hurdle, as the BCCI is reluctant to send the Indian team to Pakistan. To resolve this, the BCCI has proposed a hybrid model to the ICC, suggesting that India’s matches be played in the UAE instead.
South Africa may host ICC Champions Trophy if PCB remains firm, reports
While the ICC appears open to this solution, PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi insists on hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan, with India participating there as well. Reports indicate that the ICC is growing increasingly frustrated with the PCB’s firm stance, hinting that this could cost Pakistan its hosting rights. If the PCB rejects the hybrid model, sources suggest the entire tournament may be shifted to South Africa.
The PCB is also under pressure from the Pakistan government. According to reports, if Pakistan is stripped of the hosting rights, the government may consider withdrawing the country from the tournament altogether.
A similar scenario played out during the Asia Cup 2023, when Pakistan initially held firm but eventually agreed to a hybrid model. As a result, Pakistan and Sri Lanka co-hosted the tournament, with the final taking place in Sri Lanka. However, this time, Pakistan is resolute in its stance. With just three months left until the event, pressure on the ICC is increasing, and as the ICC leans more towards the BCCI’s position, a decision favorable to the BCCI is likely.
This is the first time Pakistan is holding the hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy. Since the 1996 World Cup, it will be the first ICC event that Pakistan is set to host. After 29 years, an ICC tournament is set to take place in Pakistan, yet the country now stands on the brink of losing its hosting rights.
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Typically, the ICC announces the schedule for its events 100 days in advance, but recently, it canceled an event in Lahore where the schedule was expected to be revealed. This cancellation underscores the ongoing uncertainty, as the final venue for the tournament is still undecided.
