Trouble for Champions Trophy? PCB’s Big Move Surprises Cricket Fans

PK DeskNovember 26, 2023Last Updated: November 26, 2023

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PCB Urges ICC to Confirm Champions Trophy 2025 Hosting Rights Amidst Security Concerns

Karachi, Nov 26: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to finalize the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy 2025, highlighted the need for compensation should India decline to travel to Pakistan, citing political and security reasons.

A reliable source within the PCB revealed that despite Pakistan being identified as the tournament host, the ICC is yet to formalize the crucial hosting agreement.

The PCB Chairman, Zaka Ashraf, and COO Salman Naseer, engaged with the ICC executive board in Ahmedabad, discussing plans for hosting the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February-March 2025.

Expressing concerns over the potential refusal of the Indian cricket board (BCCI) to send its team to Pakistan, the PCB officials emphasized that the ICC should refrain from unilateral decisions and, if necessary, appoint an independent security agency.

This agency would collaborate with the Pakistani government and security officials to evaluate the security situation for all participating teams, including India.

Highlighting that several top teams have successfully toured Pakistan in the past two years without security concerns, PCB officials stressed the need for compensation if India chooses not to play in Pakistan, resulting in matches being relocated to another country.

The officials underscored the intricate relationship between the governments of Pakistan and India, indicating a heightened likelihood of India abstaining from playing in Pakistan on security and political grounds.

Notably, India had previously refused to play in Pakistan during the Asia Cup, opting for matches in Sri Lanka.

Ashraf and Naseer reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to retaining its hosting rights during the ICC meeting, while the BCCI representative clarified that any decision regarding India’s participation in Pakistan in 2025 would be determined by their government.