Champions Trophy 2025 to pose scheduling dilemma for T20 leagues: Report

ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled for February and March in Pakistan, is expected to make headlines beyond the obvious concerns with the venue. With juggernauts India needing prior permission from the government to play in the neighbouring country, it is expected to be yet another long drawn diplomatic tussle - similar to the fate met by the 2023 Asia Cup. But the concerns for the tournament reportedly go deeper. 2025 Champions Trophy is poised to begin in the first week of February. It is the window currently occupied by ILT20 (19 January to 17 February), SA20 (10 Jan-10 Feb) and Bangladesh Premier League (19 January to 1 March). BPL is usually held in January-February but has spilled into March this time around. “We will have to work on a limited window,” an ILT20 official was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. The report adds that ILT20 will have to conclude by January next year to allow players to join respective national sides for the Champions Trophy. Even the Pakistan Super League (PSL) could be affected by the schedule. If the Champions Trophy, usually a three week event, takes up the entire February, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will have little time in March before clashing with the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is much bigger in size, popularity, profile and draws the biggest players in the sport. This year the PSL, in its ninth season, is scheduled to start on 17 February and run until 18 March.