Champions Trophy 2025, ICC Meeting Highlights: Uncertainty continues as meeting postponed to Saturday

According to Republic, the ICC has already had a word with the PCB regarding the Champions Trophy and a solution has also been found, but are delayed the formal announcement.

The report adds that the PCB are unlikely to turn down hosting the tournament in ‘Hybrid’ mode as there is a lot of money in the form of hosting fee at stake for them.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav took a ‘biryani’ dig at Prime MInister Narendra Modi while urging the BCCI to end the impasse around the Champions Trophy and send the Indian team to Pakistan.

“Involving politics in sports is not a good thing. Doesn’t everyone participate in the Olympics? Why shouldn’t India go to Pakistan? If the PM can go there to have Biryani, why can’t the Indian cricket team travel for a tournament?” ANI quoted Yadav as saying.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi had reiterated the board’s stance of refusing to accept the ‘Hybrid Model’ for the Champions Trophy while speaking to reporters in Lahore on Wednesday.

Could Pakistan’s refusal to adopt the ‘Hybrid’ approach and insist on hosting all matches have led to the meeting reportedly getting postponed? Especially since the BCCI appears firm on its stance of refusing to send the Indian team to Pakistan.

Looks the drama over the Champions Trophy venue is set to continue for at least another 24 hours with the meeting that was supposed to get underway at 4 pm IST getting postponed for Saturday.

We’re still awaiting an official confirmation for the same.

A PCB source has claimed that Pakistan will withdraw if they lose Champions Trophy 2025 hosting rights.

“In such a case, one of the options the government is mul­ling is that of asking the PCB to ensure Pakistan don’t participate in the Champions Trophy,” a source told Pakistan news media house The Dawn.

PCB’s demands were well articulated by chief Mohsin Naqvi in Lahore on Thursday.

“I promise we’ll do what is best for Pakistan cricket,” PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi said in Lahore on Thursday. “We’re still clear in our stance that it’s not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don’t play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We’ve told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we’ll let you know.”

“Whatever we do, we will make sure the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved,” Naqvi said. “But I repeat, and I am sure you know what I mean, it’s not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don’t come here.”

The first and best option is that the tournament takes place in a hybrid model where most matches are held in Pakistan, but India’s games are hosted at a neutral venue.

The other two options are:

• The tournament is moved entirely outside Pakistan, with the PCB retaining hosting rights.
• The event is hosted exclusively in Pakistan, but India does not participate.

Naqvi has said that they are not ready to “sell rights” and that it’s unacceptable that the Indian team doesn’t travel to Pakistan. “I promise you that we’ll not just sell our rights out just for more money. This will never happen. But we’ll do whatever is best for Pakistan,” Naqvi said.

“We’re still clear in our stance that it’s not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don’t play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We’ve told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we’ll let you know.” (READ MORE)