NEW DELHI, Oct 17 (India Today): The future of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025 is uncertain as discussions continue about India's potential participation in Pakistan. Richard Gould, CEO of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and chair Richard Thompson noted that there are "many alternatives and contingencies" if India opts not to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
Historically, India and Pakistan have often played in neutral venues, especially in ICC and Asia Cup tournaments. Since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Pakistan has visited India for ICC events only three times: during the 2011 World Cup, the 2016 T20 World Cup, and the 2023 World Cup. The only bilateral series took place in the 2012-13 season, when Pakistan played six matches in India.
Currently, the Indian government has not approved the national team's travel to Pakistan, raising concerns about India's participation in the Champions Trophy. With cricket diplomacy seeming unlikely, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suggested a hybrid model for the tournament, proposing that matches involving India be held in Dubai.
In light of these developments, the ICC is exploring three potential hosting options for the tournament: a full Champions Trophy held entirely in Pakistan, a hybrid model featuring matches in both Pakistan and Dubai, specifically for India games, semifinals, and finals and hosting the entire tournament outside of Pakistan, with alternative locations such as Dubai, Sri Lanka, or South Africa under consideration.
While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) retains the hosting rights for the tournament, the ICC is pragmatically preparing for either the hybrid model or a complete relocation, given the low likelihood of the Indian government approving travel to Pakistan. In a recent statement, ECB officials underscored the importance of India's participation for the tournament's broadcast rights, highlighting that a solution must be found to ensure a successful event.
Clarity regarding the tournament's hosting arrangements is expected in November, just ahead of Jay Shah's transition to ICC Chairman on December 1. As these discussions unfold, the cricketing world remains watchful, eager to see how this storied rivalry will progress in the coming months.
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