Champions Trophy 2025, ICC Meeting Highlights PCB-BCCI dispute likely to drag on with ICC yet to make final decision

Amid ongoing discussions with the ICC and the BCCI, who have refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan for next year’s Champions Trophy, the PCB has sugggested a ‘Partnership Formula’, or a ‘Fusion Formula’ wherein India and Pakistan play all of their matches in Dubai instead of travelling to each other’s turf, according to Geo News.

It’s the same as the ‘Hybrid Model’ except for the fact that this proposal ensures Pakistan do not travel to India for ICC events either.

It’s 8 pm already in India, with Pakistan half an hour behind, and there still is now confirmation from the ICC regarding the venue and schedule for next year’s Champions Trophy?

Is the board meeting set for another reschedule in order to allow hosts PCB and the BCCI, the two boards that are at the heart of the issue that has cast a shadow on the tournament, more time to discuss with their respective governments?

For now, we will continue tracking the latest developments on what has been among the biggest talking points in cricket this year.

India will be hosting three men’s ICC events till 2031 – the 2026 T20 World Cup together with Sri Lanka and the 2031 ICC World Cup with Bangladesh, while it will host the 2029 Champions Trophy entirely.

The PCB had asked the BCCI for a written guarantee that it will agree to a hybrid model for the aforementioned tournaments as well, wherein Pakistan will not play their matches in India.

Since India will co-host the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2031 ICC World Cup with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh respectively, there shouldn’t be much problem as far as Pakistan’s home games are concerned in those two events.

The semi-finals and the finals, however, could be a matter of concern unless the ICC choose to allot one semi-final to a venue outside India.

Colorful scenes in Kabul as the Champions Trophy trophy tour arrives in style in Afghanistan.

Look, what we've got on Afghan Soil! 🏆

The Champions Trophy has made its way to Afghanistan, the heart of majestic mountains and beautiful valleys, where every view is like a little piece of art. This is especially true in the vibrant capital, Kabul, where the country's charm… pic.twitter.com/oAwv3odvMR

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) December 2, 2024

The ICC is currently conducting a trophy tour for next year’s Champions Trophy in several nations after starting with hosts Pakistan, with the silverware currently in Afghanistan, where several former and current cricketers including Hashmatullah Shahidi posed with it.

The Majestic ICC Champions Trophy with the past, present, and future of Afghanistan Cricket! 🤩🏆#AfghanAtalan | #ChampionsTrophy | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/rXeeXnC1pe

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) December 2, 2024

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has spoken on the ongoing issue surrounding the Champions Trophy, saying that the ICC should not schedule India vs Pakistan matches in tournaments unless bilateral series take place. “The ICC has to make a decision sometime and I think this is the right time to find a permanent solution.

“If this Champions Trophy adopts a hybrid model with India not coming to Pakistan, then all other ICC events in India should adopt the same pattern with Pakistan not touring India. In my opinion, another solution is that the ICC should not schedule Indo-Pak matches until and unless there is a bilateral series. Once they start playing each other then only we should have matches in a multi-national event,” Akmal told Telecom Asia Sport.

The Champions Trophy’s trophy tour continues to progress amid uncertainty over where next year’s tournament will be held. The trophy arrived in Afghanistan on Monday. Afghanistan will be taking part in the Champions Trophy next year for the very first time.

Look, what we've got on Afghan Soil! 🏆

The Champions Trophy has made its way to Afghanistan, the heart of majestic mountains and beautiful valleys, where every view is like a little piece of art. This is especially true in the vibrant capital, Kabul, where the country's charm… pic.twitter.com/oAwv3odvMR

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) December 2, 2024