(Cricket News) According to numerous reports, the 9th Champions Trophy could be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or follow a hybrid format similar to the Asia Cup, with games being scheduled in both nations.
The Champions Trophy is currently slated to be hosted by Pakistan in 2025, however there are many rumors that the International Cricket Council (ICC) may announce a different plan because India may choose not to send its national team to the neighboring country for security and political concerns.
A similar situation occurred during the most recent Asia Cup, which was originally slated to take place in Pakistan. However, subsequent to India’s decision not to send a team, the tournament was held in a hybrid format in Sri Lanka, with four Asia Cup matches taking place in Pakistan and the remaining matches taking place in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has urged the ICC to sign the Champions Trophy 2025 hosting rights agreements with it, emphasizing that the PCB should receive compensation should India decline to travel to the nation citing political and security concerns, according to reports on November 26.
“Pakistani officials discussed the probability of the Indian board (BCCI) again refusing to send its team to Pakistan and made it clear that in any given situation the ICC must avoid taking unilateral decisions on the tournament,” the reliable source was quoted as saying.
He added that the PCB officials had told ICC that if India refuses to play in Pakistan on security grounds, the global body should appoint an independent security agency. PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf and COO Salman Naseer met with the ICC executive board in Ahmedabad to discuss hosting the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February–March of 2025.
“The PCB officials said many top teams had toured Pakistan in the last two years without any security concerns. They also made it clear that in case India not sends its team and its matches are moved to another country, then the ICC must compensate Pakistan for this,” the source was further quoted as saying. “The PCB further said the agency could liaison with Pakistan government and security officials to assess the security situation of the participating teams, including India.”
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