ICC Board to meet on November 29 to discuss Champions Trophy schedule: Sources

The International Cricket Council Board will meet on Friday, November 29 to finalise the schedule for the Champions Trophy. There has been a delay in announcing the schedule after India refused to travel to Pakistan, who have the hosting rights for the 50-over tournament.

In Short

• Pakistan firm on not hosting the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model
• India said no to travelling to Pakistan for their matches
• Efforts were being made to convince Pakistan to accept hybrid model

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to hold its board meeting on Friday, 29 November, to discuss the Champions Trophy and finalise the schedule for the eight-team event, which is slated to take place early next year, India Today has learnt. The announcement of the fixtures for this marquee ODI tournament has been delayed.

Pakistan holds the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy, but India's decision not to send its cricket team to play in Pakistan has created an impasse. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been adamant about not adopting a hybrid model, which would involve hosting some matches at a neutral venue. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi reaffirmed this position last week, while also offering measures to address India's concerns, including assurances about security.

Earlier this week, India Today reported that the ICC had convened an urgent meeting involving all stakeholders, including representatives from the Indian cricket board, to resolve the issue. According to sources, efforts were being made to persuade Pakistan to agree to a hybrid model, thereby facilitating the announcement of the tournament’s schedule.

Last year, Pakistan also held the hosting rights for the Asia Cup. However, the tournament had to be conducted in a hybrid model after India declined to travel across the border. Pakistan hosted only four matches, while Sri Lanka hosted nine, including the final, which India won.

Pakistan had written to the ICC earlier in November, asking the the international cricket board to ensure BCCI lists out its reasons for not visiting Pakistan. The BCCI, in a letter to the ICC, had stated that its senior men's team would not travel to Pakistan, citing security concerns.

India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since the 2012-13 season due to strain in bilateral ties. India last visited Pakistan for a cricket tournament in 2008.

Notably, the PCB had announced a trophy tour that included the disputed Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) region, along with cities such as Islamabad, Taxila, and Khanpur. However, following a complaint by the BCCI, the ICC revised the itinerary. The revised tour now covers various cities across Pakistan until November 25, after which the trophy will travel to the seven other participating nations. In India, the trophy will be displayed across several cities from January 15 to 26 before returning to Pakistan on January 27, marking the final leg of its global journey.