The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to pressure the International Cricket Council (ICC) with its fresh demand regarding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Also, the final decision on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to be hosted by Pakistan, is all set to be announced on Wednesday, according to a new report.
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ICC Champions Trophy 2025 likely to be played in Hybrid Model
The marquee 50-over competition is set to be played in a hybrid model, according to various media reports. This is because the Indian government denied permission to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to send Team India to neighboring countries.
The political relations between India and Pakistan have not been good for a very long time and the two teams have not locked horns in a bilateral series for over a decade.
Indian government identified a security threat for the players in Pakistan. Hence, they rejected the permission for the travel. This decision was conveyed by BCCI to ICC and multiple meetings have already taken place between the ICC board members to solve the matter.
Pakistan demand a new model for future ICC events in India
India’s stance has not gone down well with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the latter has come up with major demands to accept the hybrid model for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
PCB feels Team India not visiting Pakistan and the Men In Green travelling to India for ICC events is unfair. The Mohsin Naqvi-led board has proposed a new model, according to which both India and Pakistan would play their matches at a neutral venue when the ICC events are held in their countries.
PCB wants this new model to be followed in at least ICC’s current commercial cycle (2024-27) if not the entire current events cycle until 2031. Several tournaments will be hosted by India in this cycle, but in the ICC T20 World Cup and ICC Cricket World Cup, India will be co-hosts.
PCB wants written assurance in a major new demand
Before officially accepting the hybrid model for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board has demanded written assurance from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the new model to be followed in future ICC tournaments.
“Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants a written assurance from the World body (ICC) regarding a hybrid model for the future international events to be hosted by India. Decision on Champions Trophy most likely by Wednesday,” sources told IANS on Monday.
Reportedly, the India National Cricket Team will play their matches in Dubai and the venue will also host the semi-final and final, subject to the qualification of the Rohit Sharma-led side.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be played from February 19 to March 9 but the full tournament schedule is yet to be announced. However, recently, the broadcaster Star Sports released the promo for the competition.