Dhaka, Nov 28 (V7N)- With just months to go before the ICC Champions Trophy in February-March, significant challenges loom over the tournament's organization due to India’s refusal to play in host nation Pakistan. Despite the commencement of the trophy tour, disagreements between the two cricket boards—BCCI and PCB—remain unresolved, casting doubts over the event's format and location.

India has cited security concerns as the reason for not sending its team to Pakistan, a stance consistent since bilateral cricket ties were severed following the 2008 Mumbai attacks. This has led to speculation about a hybrid model—similar to the 2023 Asia Cup—where India’s matches could be held in a neutral venue, potentially the UAE. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected the idea, emphasizing its substantial investment in preparing stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.

Adding to the complexity is the ICC’s concern about Pakistan’s internal political situation, which further complicates plans for hosting a smooth and secure tournament.

The ICC is set to address these issues at a crucial meeting on Friday, November 29, where the tournament’s schedule is expected to be finalized. Insiders suggest the ICC may offer Pakistan a financial package to adopt the hybrid model, though it remains unclear if PCB would accept such terms.

If no resolution is reached, the ICC could consider moving the entire tournament out of Pakistan, despite the PCB’s significant preparations and investments. This would mark a significant setback for Pakistan, which has not hosted an ICC event since 1996.

The stakes are high for both cricketing giants:

  • The PCB has warned that if India skips the Champions Trophy, Pakistan will not send its team to India for future ICC tournaments.
  • The BCCI insists that it will not compromise on its security concerns, leaving the ICC in a difficult position.
  • Without both India and Pakistan participating, the tournament risks losing its competitive and financial appeal, which hinges heavily on matches involving the two cricketing powerhouses.

India and Pakistan’s cricketing ties have been strained for over a decade, with no bilateral series held since 2012. The last Asia Cup followed a hybrid model, with India’s matches played in Sri Lanka, but this arrangement came under heavy criticism for logistical challenges and inconsistent pitches.

The November 29 meeting will likely determine the Champions Trophy’s fate. With Pakistan hosting an ICC event for the first time in nearly three decades, the outcome will set a critical precedent for international cricket’s future in the region.

The cricketing world awaits the ICC’s decision, which will not only resolve this immediate impasse but also influence the long-term relationship between India and Pakistan in global cricket.

END/RH/AJ