The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025 faces uncertainty, with expected delays in announcing the tournament’s schedule.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is steadfastly opposed to a hybrid model for the tournament, making it unlikely that the schedule will be released in the next 24 hours.
This issue arises as the highly anticipated tournament, scheduled for February-March next year in Pakistan, sees the PCB clashing with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over its refusal to play in Pakistan.
The ICC has requested a formal explanation from the BCCI following the PCB’s demand for India’s written refusal to participate.
Previously, the BCCI had only verbally communicated its decision to the ICC.
The absence of a Pakistan-India match in the schedule is problematic for broadcasters and commercial partners, given the significant viewership and revenue such matches generate.
There are also threats of legal action if the event excludes a match between the arch-rivals.
Sources suggest a schedule announcement could occur within a few days if stakeholders can be flexible. They support conducting the event based on mutual consensus.
Meanwhile, the ICC is working to resolve these issues before BCCI Secretary Jay Shah becomes ICC Chairman on December 1.
Traditionally, the ICC ensures that India and Pakistan play each other at least once in major global cricket events due to the significant revenue involved.
The announcement of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule is likely to face further delays as deadlock persists over India’s decision to participate in Pakistan
Details : https://t.co/q5nLsYwu37#TOKSports #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/esd9KywzYH
— TOK Sports (@TOKSports021) November 20, 2024The 2023 World Cup match between the two nations attracted 173 million viewers on Indian TV and 225 million digital viewers.
The ICC, which secured $3.2 billion from broadcast rights for 2024-2027 and expects another $1 billion in additional revenue, relies heavily on marquee matches between Pakistan and India.
Notably, India has not played an international match in Pakistan since 2008. Last year, the BCCI’s refusal to send a team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup resulted in a hybrid format, with later stages in Sri Lanka.
However, Pakistan travelled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup soon after.
