The ICC has found a solution for the conflict between India and Pakistan in terms of hosting cricket matches. The Pakistan Cricket Board has ultimately agreed to play their games at a neutral venue in exchange for a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy in 2025 and the T20 World Cup in India in 2026. It has been reported that ICC Chairman Jay Shah will hold a virtual meeting with PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday to finalize the details of this agreement.
The ongoing dispute over Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 has led to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) requesting a written guarantee from the ICC for a hybrid model in the tournament. In case India qualifies, they will play their matches in Dubai while Pakistan will host the rest. The decision on the tournament is expected to be made by Wednesday.
The International Cricket Council has informed Pakistan that India will not be able to travel to their neighbouring country for the Champions Trophy next year, sending shockwaves through the cricketing community. The PCB has forwarded the email to the Pakistani government for guidance and is still waiting for a response. In the past, Pakistan has made friendly gestures towards India, but the PCB chairman has warned that this may not always be the case. The ICC was set to release the tournament's schedule this week, but the stand-off between India and Pakistan may delay the announcement.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced their willingness to rearrange the schedule and venues of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to accommodate India's refusal to travel to Pakistan. This would be the second time Pakistan is hosting a multi-nation tournament on a hybrid model, with India playing all their matches in the UAE. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is waiting for the PCB's decision and is expected to announce the schedule for the tournament next week.
Mohsin Naqvi, the chief of Pakistan Cricket Board, addressed rumors about India potentially not traveling to Pakistan for the ICC 2025 Champions Trophy. While there have been reports in the Indian media, Naqvi emphasized that PCB has not received any formal communication from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding India's participation. However, if India decides not to travel to Pakistan, PCB will approach their government for further decisions. Naqvi stresses the importance of not mixing politics with cricket and hopes for a successful tournament.
Amidst reports claiming that India will not be participating in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has denied any official information regarding the matter. India has not played in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup and political tensions between the two nations remain a major hurdle. If India does withdraw, Sri Lanka will take their place in the tournament.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has officially announced the tentative dates for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be hosted by Pakistan. This will be the first ICC tournament hosted by Pakistan since the 1996 World Cup. The tournament will feature eight teams, including India, and is set to begin on February 19 with the final scheduled for March 9. The matches will be divided between three venues - Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, with the opening game taking place in Karachi. India's games, including a potential semi-final, are all scheduled in Lahore.