The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly considering a proposal put forward by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to break the deadlock between Pakistan and India over the hosting of the 2025 Men’s Champions Trophy.
The tournament, scheduled to take place during the February-March window, has sparked tension between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The PCB has proposed a new approach, referred to as the “Partnership or Fusion Formula,” which would see Pakistan and India playing their respective matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when hosted in each other's countries.
This proposal aims to break the deadlock over hosting rights, allowing both nations to play their matches in neutral venues, while the tournament remains in its original host country.
This formula would apply to ICC events for the next three years. If accepted by both the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), it could begin with the Champions Trophy 2025, which is expected to be played across multiple cities in Pakistan, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi.
Amid ongoing discussions, the PCB has made it clear that it is not seeking any additional revenue from the ICC. The board has rejected offers for a bigger share of the tournament's earnings, instead emphasizing that its primary concern is respect, not financial gain. According to Khaliq, the PCB has expressed its hope that the proposal will lead to a positive resolution of the current stalemate.
The Champions Trophy 2025, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the cricket calendar, continues to be a key issue in the diplomatic landscape of international cricket.
The ICC held a board directors' meeting in Dubai on Friday, which ended in less than 15 minutes. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, along with several top officials, is currently in the UAE, where Pakistan-India cricket board officials are holding behind-the-scenes meetings in an attempt to resolve the issue.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ