Champions Trophy 2025: PCB and ICC Clash Over Hosting Plans

The venue for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy remains undecided after a virtual ICC board meeting failed to finalize the location. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was in Dubai to witness Pakistan’s Under-19 victory over India, continues to advocate for an equitable solution regarding hosting rights.

Naqvi, speaking to reporters in Dubai, reiterated his openness to a hybrid hosting model but emphasized that any decision must prioritize equality. He stated, “We will do whatever’s best for cricket. If we adopt any other formula [besides hosting in Pakistan], it will be based on equality. The respect of Pakistan is paramount; everything else is secondary.”

Naqvi’s comments highlight the PCB’s firm position against one-sided arrangements. He stressed that Pakistan will no longer accept scenarios where their team travels to India, but the Indian team does not reciprocate.

While specifics of an equitable arrangement remain unclear, sources indicate that Pakistan may seek a long-term agreement where hybrid hosting models are applied to future tournaments held in India. This could include provisions for Pakistan to play their matches outside India, mirroring any hybrid model adopted for the Champions Trophy.

Additionally, the PCB may explore financial compensation as part of the arrangement, although Naqvi emphasized that monetary gains are not the primary focus.

A final decision is expected in the coming days, but any proposal will likely require approval from both the Indian and Pakistani governments. The Indian government’s refusal to allow its team to travel to Pakistan has been a central issue, and the PCB has maintained that any decision they make will be subject to government endorsement.

With the Champions Trophy scheduled to start on February 19, 2025, time is running short. Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi are slated to host the games if Pakistan retains hosting rights. However, if a hybrid model is adopted, the UAE is the most likely alternative venue, as Naqvi held discussions with ECB officials there earlier.

Naqvi summarized the situation, stating, “We need to settle this once and for all. Any agreement must ensure equality for all parties and extend beyond the Champions Trophy to set a precedent for future tournaments.”

Image Credits: Cricket Addictor

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