ICC Board Meeting: Champions Trophy 2025 Challenges

The International Cricket Council (ICC) to take a crucial decision on the Champions Trophy 2025 which is proposed to be played in Pakistan. The board to meets virtually today to resolve the mounting challenges.

Current Situation
ICC has awarded the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy 2025 to Pakistan in 2021. PCB is facing significant hurdles in hosting the tournament Pakistan Cricket Board despite cash crunches they have invested heavily in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi since 2021. However, India has maintained its stance that it will not travel to Pakistan citing security issues. This has created complex challenges both diplomatic and logistical for the Pakistan and ICC.
Key Reason behind the Tussle.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is maintaining an uncompromising position and stating again and again that they will host the entire tournament in Pakistan itself, rejecting the hybrid model proposed by ICC to them to mitigate issues. Meanwhile, the BCCI has officially informed the ICC about their inability to travel to Pakistan and suggested a hybrid model similar to the 2023 Asia Cup. However, the PCB is against this offer from BCCI. PCB chairman has even threatened that if India can't come to Pakistan, the Pakistan team will not go to India in the future.

Serious Financial Implications for PCB
Given the financial condition of the Pakistan Cricket Board, the stakes are very high for them, with hosting fees of about USD 70 million at risk. The ICC is even considering offering additional financial incentives to the PCB if they accept a hybrid model. In this arrangement, Team India's matches will be played, most likely, in UAE, and the rest of the tournament in Pakistan.

Recent Developments

Adding more complexities to the already bad situation, the recent civil protest in the country has made the situation even worse. The situation was highlighted when Sri Lanka's A team cut short their tour due to protests in Islamabad. This particular development has put additional pressure on Pakistan's ability, whether they can host international cricket events safely or not.

Looking Forward
The meeting time seems very crucial as the BCCI secretary is set to take the role of ICC Chairman role on the first of December.

There are various scenarios that ICC need to discuss: 
A hybrid model with India's matches in UAE
If Pakistan insists on hosting the entire tournament, the complete relocation of the tournament.

ICC is already behind the typical timeline for event preparation for the tournament which is originally planned for February-March 2025, and it requires immediate resolution to avoid any delay. Today's meeting will provide the direction of where the tournament is heading towards.