The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to grant Pakistan a new event, recognizing the financial impact of India’s non-participation in the Champions Trophy.
At a recent meeting in Islamabad, chaired by Mohsin Naqvi of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), officials discussed updates on this issue. Naqvi announced that talks with the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are complete.
While documentation delays occurred, officials expect to release the Champions Trophy schedule soon. India has agreed to compensate Pakistan for their non-participation, but Pakistan has rejected the financial offer, prioritizing national dignity. Instead, both nations agreed to avoid hosting each other’s teams for ICC events over the next three years.
The ICC will also assign Pakistan the 2028 Women’s Tournament hosting rights. This move ensures that Pakistan will host an event, compensating for the financial loss from the Champions Trophy withdrawal.
Although the ICC will soon reveal the details of the Champions Trophy, they may not yet disclose the bilateral travel agreement. Pakistan has warned it might take significant actions if its demands are unmet, though it did not specify what these might be.
Additionally, the ICC approved a hybrid hosting model for the 2025 Champions Trophy between Pakistan and Dubai after lengthy discussions and an agreement with the BCCI.
Read: ICC Opts Hybrid Model for India-Pakistan Champions Trophy Matches
This arrangement does not include financial compensation for PCB, but it does secure the rights to host an ICC Women’s tournament after 2027. The 2025 Champions Trophy, from February 19 to March 9, will see Pakistan host ten matches, while Dubai will host India’s league games. If India exits early, Lahore and Rawalpindi will host the semifinals and finals.
Since 2012-13, political tensions have prevented India and Pakistan from playing bilateral series, limiting their encounters to ICC and Asia Cup events.
