Pakistan May Withdraw From ICC Champions Trophy: Report (image-twitter/TheRealPCB)
The standoff between the cricket board of India and Pakistan seems to grow regarding the Champions Trophy which is scheduled to be played in Pakistan in 2025. As per the report published by Dawn, Pakistan may withdraw from next year’s ICC Champions Trophy in case the tournament’s hosting rights are stripped of the country in the wake of India’s refusal to play in the neighbouring country.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) had written to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), informing them about the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision that the Indian team won’t travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
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The match was scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
The report states that the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has “ruled out the possibility” of a hybrid model, which could force the ICC to move the entire tournament out of Pakistan.
This may lead to Pakistan pulling out of the tournament.
“In such a case, one of the options the government is mulling is that of asking the PCB to ensure Pakistan don’t participate in the Champions Trophy,” Dawn quoted a source as saying and adding that the Pakistan government was looking at the issue “seriously”.
Meanwhile, another report by PTI has said that ICC has sought confirmation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PVB), if the hybrid model is acceptable to them.
“Unless the PCB decides to pull out of hosting the Champions Trophy the current plan is to hold India’s matches in UAE and the final in Dubai,” a source told PTI on Monday.
“The Indian Cricket Board has told the ICC that a Hybrid Model is acceptable to them only if the final is held in Dubai and not in Pakistan,” the source added.
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India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series since 2012 but continued to face off in ICC tournaments. When Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year, the tournament was changed to a hybrid model after India refused to play in Pakistan. India had played all the matches in Sri Lanka.
