The future of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is uncertain, as tensions between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continue to escalate. The BCCI has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament, citing the lack of clearance from the Indian government. In response, the PCB, which is the designated host, has refused the idea of a hybrid model, wherein India could play its matches at a neutral venue. The PCB has officially requested that the ICC and BCCI provide written confirmation of their stance.
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13, only meeting in ICC and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events since then. The 2023 Asia Cup, which Pakistan hosted, featured a hybrid model where India's matches were held in Sri Lanka, a compromise that the PCB is unwilling to repeat for the Champions Trophy.
According to reports, if the PCB continues to maintain its hardline stance and the Champions Trophy is affected as a result, the PCB may face sanctions from the ICC. The withdrawal of Pakistan could lead to significant financial losses, including a potential cut in ICC funding. Moving or postponing the tournament could cost the PCB around $65 million in hosting fees. The board has recently invested heavily in upgrading three venues—Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore—for the Champions Trophy, making any financial setback even more detrimental.
The PCB has assured the ICC that security is not an issue, pointing to its recent successful hosting of England and New Zealand. The board has reiterated its commitment to hosting the Champions Trophy as planned, rejecting any proposal for a hybrid model similar to the 2023 Asia Cup.
As of now, the ICC has yet to respond to the PCB's demands, with discussions ongoing regarding the schedule and participation of teams. Sources have indicated that the PCB is not interested in moving the tournament outside Pakistan, even ruling out the UAE as an option.
The launch event for the Champions Trophy, initially scheduled for Lahore, has also been postponed. This event was expected to take place following a briefing from ICC management during an ICC Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) meeting on October 21 in Dubai. However, the event is now on hold, with no confirmed timeline for its rescheduling.
The escalating dispute between the BCCI and PCB could have significant implications for both cricket boards, and the outcome of this standoff may determine the fate of the Champions Trophy 2025.
