Pak stands firm, ICC to meet again

The suspense over the fate of the Champions Trophy 2025 continued as the International Cricket Council (ICC) board met briefly on Friday to discuss the issue, but postponed the meeting for a detailed debate for Saturday (today).

The ICC board held a brief virtual meeting on Friday, and it was decided that all the respective parties will continue to work towards a positive resolution to the ongoing impasse.

With the impasse continuing following India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, the hybrid model seems to be the only feasible option, even though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has vehemently opposed the move.

Sources have confirmed that all 15 members of the board - 12 full members and three directors from the associate nations - attended the meeting, but no decision could be reached since the PCB refused to relent from its position.

Sources further told that both PCB and BCCI tabled their proposals regarding the hosting of the eight-team tournament. The meeting was concluded with the apex cricketing body instructing both parties to find a solution with "mutual consultation".

According to a section of the Pakistani media, the PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi is currently in Dubai to deliberate the issue with the concerned stakeholders.

Earlier, the PCB chief had sought a reasonable or acceptable proposal from the ICC and even signalled that a hybrid model could be considered 'only if the same is employed for other major tournaments to be hosted by India for the remaining tournament cycle' till 2031.

India is scheduled to host the Women's World Cup next year, an Asia Cup in 2025, followed by the men's T20 World Cup in 2026 and a Champions Trophy in 2029, and if the PCB eventually sticks to its condition, the Pakistan team might be reluctant to tour India.

For now, efforts are to ensure that the tournament is eventually held in a hybrid model - with the United Arab Emirates hosting India's matches, one semifinal and the final if India makes it.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will play its matches at home and host a semifinal, and in case India does not make it to the final, the final could also be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The other option is taking the tournament to a different venue, with PCB retaining hosting rights. However, with barely a couple of months left for the tournament, it could be a logistical nightmare to do so.

Keeping the security issues in mind, the BCCI has reiterated that it won't send its teams to Pakistan for the ICC event, and the recent political protests in Islamabad, which forced the Sri Lanka A team to return home midway through the tour, has further complicated the issue.

The Champions Trophy, which was last held in England in 2017, is slated to be held between February 19 and March 9 next year.

Shahid Afridi backs PCB's stance

Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has expressed his strong support for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as it remains firm in its decision to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 entirely in Pakistan.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi emphasized this position during a press conference, saying, "We're still clear in our stance that it's not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don't play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We've told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we'll let you know."

Shahid Afridi voiced his support for the PCB's decision on social media. In his post, Afridi criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for mixing politics with sports and urged the ICC to take a firm stand.

"By intertwining politics with sports, the BCCI has placed international cricket in a precarious position," Afridi wrote. "Fully support the PCB's stance against the hybrid model – especially since Pakistan (despite security concerns) has toured India five times, including a bilateral white-ball series, post-26/11. It's time for the ICC and its Board of Directors to uphold fairness and assert their authority."