ICC to decide fate of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy today

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will hold a virtual meeting on Friday to discuss the future of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is currently in jeopardy due to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the event.

Sources have indicated that several options are being considered, including the possibility of holding the tournament in Pakistan without India. However, this option is considered highly unlikely given India's substantial commercial influence in international cricket.

Another proposal under consideration is a hybrid model, where most of the matches would take place in Pakistan, with the games involving India potentially moved to a neutral venue, such as the UAE. Although sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have rejected this idea, ICC officials have suggested that it could still be a viable option.

If the hybrid model is put forward, the PCB is expected to insist that no matches involving Pakistan, including the pivotal group match against India, be played outside the country.

The ICC is under pressure to ensure that the Pakistan-India match is included, as a tournament without it is unlikely to generate significant interest or financial support.

Other alternatives being discussed include relocating the entire tournament to a neutral venue or postponing it to a later date. There is also speculation that the ICC may consider revoking Pakistan's hosting rights, a move that the PCB has firmly opposed.

The PCB has formally requested that the ICC provide detailed, workable proposals before Friday’s meeting and has also called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to submit a written explanation for its refusal to tour Pakistan, supported by evidence.