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The upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 which is supposed be hosted by Pakistan Cricket Board is likely to move out of Pakistan due to ongoing political unrest in the country. Sri Lanka A who was supposed to feature against Pakistan Shaheens for the ODI series left back midway because of political unrest in Islamabad.
As per IANS, With some more participating countries expressing security concerns, the threat of the event being moved out of Pakistan looms, and under pressure, the PCB is likely to agree to host it in a hybrid model. "Some other cricket boards have also expressed concern. PCB may agree to a hybrid model."
This will be the first ICC event for Pakistan after the 1996 World Cup but after this incident, the chances are very less. Islamabad is currently under lockdown as the supporters of jailed Prime Minister Imran Khan laid siege to the capital. Pakistani authorities arrested nearly 1,000 supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the city’s police chief.
Sports Tak earlier this week reported that in order to address the matter, the ICC called an urgent meeting with representatives from the Indian cricket board and other interested parties. Sources claim that attempts were on to convince Pakistan to accept a hybrid approach, which would allow the tournament's schedule to be announced.
Both Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will be there for the meeting including all other countries' boards participating in the mega tournaments. The first agenda of the is the match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan along with the group stages of the tournament.
As the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan, one of the semifinal match and the final will be played at a neutral venue. However, if PCB does not agree to a hybrid model, the entire Champions Trophy will be shifted out of Pakistan.
