Champions Trophy Impasse: ICC Meeting Adjourned As Pakistan Stick To ‘No Hybrid Model’ Stance

Mumbai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) had hoped to resolve the impasse over the Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan in February-March, 2025.

But the emergency meeting of ICC’s executive board failed to achieve a consensus on the tournament’s schedule on Friday as Pakistan stuck to their stance of hosting the entire tournament on its soil, and not on a ‘hybrid’ model.

The board is likely to meet again on Saturday.

With India having conveyed to the ICC about its firm decision of not travelling across the border to play the tournament, the sport’s global governing body has been trying to convince the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to accept a hybrid formula wherein India’s matches can be held in a neutral country.

However, PVB chief Mohsin Naqvi made it clear during Friday’s brief meeting that the ‘hybrid’ model was not acceptable.

“The Board did meet briefly today. All parties continue to work towards a positive resolution for the Champions Trophy 2025 and it is expected that the Board will reconvene on Saturday and continue to meet over the next few days,” a senior administrator of an ICC full member nation, who is also a part of the Board, told PTI.

While Naqvi attended the meeting in person, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah did so online. Shah will take charge as ICC chairman on December 1.

Also Read: Blow To Pakistan Plans: ICC Cancels Champions Trophy Tour In PoK

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated BCCI’s stand in Delhi on Friday that that the team cannot travel to Pakistan due to security reasons.

“BCCI has issued a statement. They have said that there are security concerns there and it is therefore unlikely that the team will be going there,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

No global tournament can practically take place without the participation of India, which has the richest cricket board.

Hence, a hybrid model is the only plausible solution if Pakistan are to host it.

They have been stubborn so far, but will have to forego their hosting fee of $6 million along with gate revenue if the tournament is adjourned.

There is no other window available for the tournament except for the earmarked period between February 19 and March 9, as the IPL will be held soon after the Champions Trophy and some participating nations have bilateral engagements also.

So Pakistan may have to finally buckle under pressure, unless they decide to boycott the Champions Trophy.