Champions Trophy 2025: The ICC Board meeting, which was convened to decide the fate of Champions Trophy 2025, was adjourned with PCB seeking time to consult its government over the Hybrid Model that was proposed by the apex cricket council in its emergency meeting on November 29.
Ultimatum for PCB amidst uncertainty around Champions Trophy 2025
The PCB stuck to its guns of holding the Champions Trophy 2025 in its entirety in Pakistan, as they were handed the hosting rights in 2021.
However, the ICC Board meeting lasted only 15 minutes before it was decided to re-convene it in the next few days.
The meeting is expected to be reconvened tomorrow, but for that to happen PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has been given an ultimatum as he will have to come up with a response from the Pakistan government about their final stance on the all-important Champions Trophy 2025.
Here are the possible scenarios for the Champions Trophy 2025;
A. Hybrid Model - All India matches, one SF and Final to be staged outside Pakistan.
B. The tournament is pulled out of Pakistan and staged in a different country.
In case the tournament t is moved out of Pakistan, there is also a possibility that Pakistan may not be one of the eight participating nations in the tournament. Despite all the speculations floating around, hybrid model continues to remain the biggest possibility for the Champions Trophy next year, with the Pakistan Cricket Board keeping its hosting rights.
Broadcaster's threat amidst uncertainty around Champions Trophy 2025
However, Pakistan have maintained its stance, insisting that the entire tournament be held in their country. A meeting was held today to resolve the issue, but no definitive outcome was reached. The tournament's schedule, which was supposed to be released 100 days prior to the first match, has not been announced yet, and broadcasters remain uncertain about the host nation. As a result, the tournament is already facing delays and might face legal threats from the broadcasters.
In 2023, the PCB hosted the Asia Cup using a hybrid model due to India's refusal to tour Pakistan. India played all their matches, including the semifinal and final, in Colombo.
Team India won their last Champions Trophy title in 2013 under the leadership of MS Dhoni. In a rain-affected final against England, the match was reduced to a 20-over contest. India emerged victorious by a narrow margin of five runs in a low-scoring thriller. India also reached the finals of the Champions Trophy twice, in 2000 and 2017, but was unable to clinch the title on either occasion.
