PCB faces tough choices over Champions Trophy 2025 hosting

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faces a significant challenge after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that India’s team would not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This decision has forced the PCB to explore alternative hosting options to retain the tournament, originally planned for Pakistan.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi remains determined to keep the hosting rights in Pakistan. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has suggested a “hybrid model” as a compromise, which would split the tournament across multiple locations. Under this proposal, Pakistan would host most of the games, while India’s matches—and possibly the final—would be held in Dubai, UAE, addressing India’s security concerns.

Naqvi has voiced his reluctance despite the suggestion, stating that no official discussions have occurred on this option and emphasizing Pakistan’s goodwill gestures in recent years. “We’ve shown good gestures, but no one should expect us to do it all the time,” he said at a press briefing in Lahore.

If the hybrid model does not gain consensus, the ICC may consider shifting the entire tournament to South Africa. This alternative, if implemented, would mean Pakistan loses its status as the primary host, a move that Naqvi and the PCB hope to avoid.

Adding to the uncertainty, the ICC recently cancelled an event in Lahore where the Champions Trophy 2025 schedule was to be revealed, casting further doubts on the tournament’s format and locations. The delay has implications for group-stage matches initially set for Lahore, including India’s fixtures against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Pakistan.

The situation brings back memories of the 2023 Asia Cup, which followed a similar hybrid hosting arrangement. The ICC has yet to finalize and announce the Champions Trophy schedule, pending ongoing discussions among participating nations. The PCB awaits guidance from the Pakistani government, making it a crucial phase for both cricket boards and fans as they anticipate further developments.

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