DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering a ‘partnership formula’ to end the impasse between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the holding of the Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in the February to March window of next year.
As per the new formula, Pakistan will also not play its matches in India during ICC events for the next three years. Dubai is most likely to be the neutral venue for both teams under the expected new deal.
India is scheduled to host three ICC events during this period, including the 2025 Women’s World Cup, co-hosting the 2026 T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka and the 2027 Champions Trophy.
Details were further disclosed that cricket’s apex body has advised the BCCI to accept the aforementioned model in a bid to avoid legal action from Pakistan and also to resolve the issue without a vote.
If the proposed formula is mutually agreed, there may be no need for a board meeting and cricket’s governing body will communicate the development to board members.
Notably, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, in a brief interview with Geo News on Saturday, emphasized his previous stance of not hosting the Champions Trophy under a hybrid model, but hinted at a possible new model, based on ‘equality’.
“We will do what is best for cricket, but there is no room for unilateral agreements. If not a hybrid model, any other new model, but based on equality,” said Naqvi.
“Pakistan’s respect comes first. We cannot accept a situation where we play in India but they refuse to come here. Whatever is decided, it should set a balanced precedent for future tournaments,” he added.
On Friday, a crucial ICC board meeting called to discuss the future of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was postponed just 15 minutes after it began.
It was agreed that Pakistan and India, in collaboration with the ICC, would work towards identifying an acceptable and viable solution for the organization of the tournament.
Sohail Imran is a senior reporter at Geo News.
