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Amidst the uncertainty over the next year’s Champions Trophy, a report claims that the ICC has called for a board meeting this week to take a final call.
Champions Trophy is set to return next year after last being held in 2017. (AFP Photo)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) will reportedly host a board meeting later this week to get clarity on the status of Champions Trophy 2025 following India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the marquee event. The meeting, expected to be held on November 29, has been called to take a final call how the tournament will be organised given the BCCI’s stance.
According to ESPNcricinfo, it will be a virtual meeting, and the members will be asked to vote to arrive at a solution.
Earlier this month, the BCCI informed ICC that the Indian government has refused permission to send the men’s cricket team to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The ICC in turn has suggested Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to consider a hybrid model which will see India playing their matches at a neutral venue.
However, PCB is adamant at hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan.
According to news agency PTI, the ICC could also offer increased financial incentives to PCB should it accept hybrid model. “With the PCB not willing to budge on hosting the event under a hybrid model, they are now being offered additional financial incentives to end the deadlock,” the agency quoted an insider as saying.
While there hasn’t been any official word from the ICC, the schedule of the tournament was expected to be announced earlier this month but it has been delayed given the deadlock.
The tournament will be participation from six teams including India, Pakistan, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
The insider further claimed that PCB says barring India, none of the other teams has issues playing in Pakistan.
“The PCB so far has resisted all such moves, insisting (that) if India is not willing to play in Pakistan it is their problem as all the (other) six other participating nations have no issues (with) playing in Pakistan,” he said.
The report further added that even if PCB agrees to hybrid model, it still wants to host India vs Pakistan group match in addition to the tournament final in Lahore.
