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Champions Trophy standoff continues as ICC meeting postponed again

The meeting was postponed after BCCI rejected PCB's proposal

Webdesk

|

5 Dec 2024

A key meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to discuss the hosting of the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan has been postponed once again.

The meeting, initially scheduled for Wednesday, was delayed after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rejected a proposal put forward by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), media reports say.

The sources indicated that the meeting was postponed because India had not responded to Pakistan's proposed solution, which had been aimed at resolving the ongoing impasse. The meeting has now been rescheduled for December 7.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had traveled to Dubai in anticipation of a crucial discussion regarding the future of the tournament, which is set to take place in Pakistan in February-March 2025.

However, BCCI’s refusal to accept the PCB’s proposals left the situation unresolved, prompting the PCB to call for a final decision on the matter.

The Champions Trophy 2025 has been at a standstill due to the BCCI’s reluctance to send the Indian team to Pakistan, while the PCB has remained firm in opposing a "hybrid model" for the eight-team tournament.

As a result, discussions have turned toward a new "partnership formula" aimed at breaking the deadlock between the two boards.

Under this new proposal, Pakistan would not play their matches in India during ICC events for the next three years. Instead, Dubai is expected to serve as the neutral venue for both teams.

During this period, India is scheduled to host three major ICC events: the Women’s World Cup 2025, the co-hosted T20 World Cup 2026 with Sri Lanka, and the Champions Trophy 2027.

Sources further revealed that the ICC has advised the BCCI to accept the proposed partnership formula in order to avoid potential legal action from Pakistan and to resolve the issue without requiring a vote.

If the formula is mutually agreed upon, the ICC may not need to hold a formal board meeting, and the development will be communicated to the board members directly.