The England and Wales Cricket Board officials have stated that it would not be in the best interest of cricket to hold the ICC Champions Trophy without India's participation. They have also added that the ICC is prepared with a contingency plan if India is unable to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. With tensions between India and Pakistan making it difficult for India to play in Pakistan, the possibility of a hybrid model, similar to the 2023 Asia Cup, is being considered. However, the officials also stressed the importance of protecting broadcast rights and expressed hope that the ICC's new chair, Jay Shah, will play a significant role in finding a solution.
Background:
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy is a prestigious tournament featuring the top eight One Day International (ODI) teams in the world. The tournament was scheduled to be held in Pakistan from September 15 to October 15, 2023.
However, tensions between India and Pakistan have raised concerns about India's participation in the tournament. India has refused to travel to Pakistan for security reasons, citing previous terrorist attacks in the country.
England and Wales Cricket Board's Statement:
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has expressed its support for India's position. In a statement, ECB officials said that it would not be in the best interest of cricket to hold the tournament without India's participation. They also added that the ICC is prepared with a contingency plan if India is unable to travel to Pakistan.
Hybrid Model Option:
Due to the potential for India's absence, the ICC is considering a hybrid model for the tournament, similar to the 2023 Asia Cup. This would involve matches being played in both Pakistan and India or at a neutral venue.
Importance of Broadcast Rights:
ECB officials have also stressed the importance of protecting broadcast rights. The Champions Trophy is a major source of revenue for the ICC, and the absence of India would significantly reduce its value.
Jay Shah's Role:
The ECB officials expressed hope that the ICC's new chair, Jay Shah, will play a significant role in finding a solution. Shah, who is also the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is seen as a key figure in bridging the gap between India and Pakistan.
Top 5 FAQs:
Why is India hesitant to travel to Pakistan?
What is the ECB's stance on India's participation?
What is the hybrid model being considered?
Why is broadcast rights important?
What role might Jay Shah play?
In a surprising move, Kolkata Knight Riders bought back Indian cricketer Venkatesh Iyer for a record-breaking price of Rs 23.75 crore in the IPL mega auction. Iyer, who has previously represented KKR, expressed his excitement to take on the captaincy challenge and lead the team to defend their championship title. The franchise's decision to choose Iyer over their previous 2024 winning captain Shreyas Iyer at the auction came as a shock to many, but Iyer is grateful for the trust and confidence shown in him by the team.
As the Chennai Super Kings gear up for the 2025 season, they have retained their core group of players while making strategic additions through the IPL Mega Auction. With one eye on transitioning from MS Dhoni's leadership, CSK has secured key players like Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, while also bringing in new talent like Devon Conway and Rahul Tripathi. Despite a limited budget, CSK has managed to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
Join us for live updates as Real Madrid faces off against Leganes in a crucial LaLiga match. After a dominant 4-0 win against Osasuna, Real Madrid hopes to continue their winning streak and close the gap with league leaders Barcelona. However, Leganes won't go down without a fight as they aim to secure their first ever LaLiga victory over Los Blancos. Stay tuned for all the action from the Estadio Butarque.
Fans can catch all the action and commentary of Manchester United's first game under new manager Ruben Amorim, as they take on Ipswich in a crucial match that could help the team move out of the bottom three. Star player Marcus Rashford pokes in a goal within two minutes, followed by an impressive curling shot from midfielder Tom Hutchinson. Fans can join in on the excitement by sharing their thoughts and reactions with #bbcfootball or joining the conversation on WhatsApp or text. Though the team faces challenges with unfit players, Amorim's first press conference and assessment of the situation shows promise for the future.
During the club's annual general meeting, Real Madrid's outspoken president, Florentino Perez, criticized top football governing bodies UEFA and FIFA for the new Champions League format and increased number of matches. He also blamed these changes for the injury woes of several players in the team. Perez's strong words emphasize the ongoing tension between club owners and the authorities, and highlight the potential consequences of prioritizing commercial interests over the well-being of players and the sport itself.
In a career that has been marked by numerous successes, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli added another milestone as he scored his 30th Test hundred against Australia in Perth. Not only did he surpass the legendary Sir Donald Bradman's tally of 29 Test hundreds, but he also broke his own personal drought of not scoring a century since July 2023. This knock was not just a personal victory for Kohli, but was also a crucial contribution to the team's cause. Credit was given to his wife, Anushka Sharma, who has been his support through the tough times in his red ball cricket career.
The Premier League title race heated up as Liverpool secured a late 2-0 victory over Southampton at St Mary's. After Manchester City's shocking 4-0 loss to Tottenham, the Reds took advantage and extended their lead at the top of the table. Salah proved to be the hero for Liverpool, scoring two goals to secure the win and put his team in a commanding position. Follow the thrilling match between Southampton and Liverpool in our live updates.
The highly anticipated IPL mega auction for 2025 is set to begin on November 24 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. With 577 players in the running and 201 slots to be filled across the franchises, fans can expect a thrilling bidding war for some of the biggest names in cricket including Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, and Mitchell Starc. 12 top players have been split into two groups and will be the first to go under the hammer, followed by the remaining capped and uncapped players. The live telecast will be available on Star Sports with streaming on Jio Cinema. Mark your calendars for March 14, 2025, as the next IPL season begins.
Real Madrid's expectations for success are already sky-high, but with the recent addition of Kylian Mbappe, there may be even more tension within the team. It seems that not all of the players were on board with the Frenchman's transfer, potentially causing disharmony within the squad. This news comes as a surprise since the club is fresh off a historic double-win and the addition of Mbappe was expected to only strengthen their already dominant team.
After a long wait, Indian Cricket team captain Virat Kohli finally hit his first test century since July 2023 in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. This century not only helped Kohli break out of a rut but also gave India's second innings a much-needed boost with a lead of 533 runs against Australia at Perth's Optus Stadium. Kohli's confident and dominant performance, along with able partnerships with Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy, has all but put a loss out of equation for India in the ongoing test. Celebrating his century, Kohli dedicated it to his wife Anushka Sharma, who has always been by his side through thick and thin.