ICC video confirms Pakistan as CT host

Latest video highlights Lahore's Shahi Qila and Pakistan's truck art

The International Cricket Council (ICC) late on Wednesday announced a brand-new visual identity for the men's and women's ICC Champions Trophy which confirms Pakistan as the hosts of the mega event.

The video highlights Lahore's Shahi Qila and Pakistan's truck art. "The Champions Trophy sees the top teams in the world come together for a thrilling two-week competition where every match counts.

The men's event will return for the first time since 2017, whilst there is a brand-new women's version in the T20 format, as the world's best players will compete for the Champions Trophy white jackets," an official ICC statement read.

"A battle for the iconic white jackets will occur every two years as an alternating men's ODI event featuring the top eight teams, and then entering a new era, the top six women's T20 teams will compete in an intense and all-out showdown where we will witness each team write history," the statement added.

The latest development comes amid India's reported refusal to travel to Pakistan for next year's men's edition.

The ICC Men's Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February-March next year. However, the Indian goverment is reluctant to send its team across the border, a decision which has been communicated to the ICC by the Indian cricket board (BCCI).

The BCCI has also proposed a hybrid model for the tournament so India can play their matches at a venue outside Pakistan. However, it has been reported that the Pakistan government has told the PCB not to move any game outside the country.

Pakistan are Champions Trophy holders, having beaten arch-rivals India in the final in the UK by 180 runs in 2017.

ICC under pressure as broadcasters lose patience

The eagerly awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is at the center of a growing dispute as broadcasting companies that acquired the tournament's media rights are pressing the International Cricket Council (ICC) for immediate release of the tournament schedule.

With mounting financial implications and strained relationships, sources indicate that broadcasters are running out of patience.

According to insiders, the broadcasters, who secured the ICC's media rights for an estimated $3 billion through 2027, were promised a cycle that included high-stakes Pakistan-India clashes. Such matchups historically generate the highest viewership and revenue.

With no clear schedule and the possibility of a tournament without India, broadcasters are facing substantial losses and have demanded that the ICC make an immediate decision.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is standing firm, rejecting proposals for a hybrid tournament model and advocating for the event to proceed in Pakistan.

On the other hand, the ICC is actively working to address the concerns raised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding India's possible withdrawal from visiting Pakistan for the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy.

Sources confirmed that the PCB had been actively engaging with other cricket boards, informing them of the Indian board's position, which placed the ICC in a challenging situation. Pakistan, steadfast in its opposition to the hybrid model, expressed dissatisfaction with the situation, further complicating matters for the governing body.

The ICC was expected to take a few days to craft a detailed response to the PCB's inquiries. According to reports, after Pakistan outlined its concerns regarding India's refusal, the ICC initiated discussions with the Indian Cricket Board to clarify the matter and gather the necessary information to respond adequately to the PCB's email.

Additionally, the Indian Cricket Board was expected to issue a written statement after thorough consideration of the legal implications involved. The ICC planned to base its formal reply to the PCB on this statement. In the meantime, ICC officials consulted with other cricketing nations to explore possible solutions to the ongoing issue between Pakistan and India.