According to a spokesman, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to convene this week to decide the future of next year’s Champions Trophy following India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, the host nation.
Earlier in the month, the ICC notified the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of India’s decision not to tour Pakistan for the eight-team tournament, casting uncertainty over the event’s occurrence.
An ICC spokesman in Dubai confirmed to AFP that a meeting scheduled for Friday will include this issue on the agenda, though no additional details were provided.
The PCB has dismissed suggestions of allowing India to participate in a neutral third country, asserting that the event, slated from February 19 to March 9, must occur in Pakistan.
The Cricket Board of India has yet to state the tournament.
The political relationship between India and Pakistan has deteriorated, leading to a hiatus in bilateral cricket series for over a decade. Encounters are limited to ICC multi-nation tournaments.
Pakistan experienced a significant lull in hosting international cricket matches following an attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009, with a full resumption of international play only occurring in 2020.
During last year’s Asia Cup, hosted by Pakistan, India’s matches were held outside Pakistan.
However, Pakistani cricket authorities have dismissed security concerns for the upcoming Champions Trophy, citing successful recent events involving major teams such as Australia, England, and South Africa.
The Champions Trophy will mark the first ICC event held in Pakistan since it co-hosted the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.
