November 30, 2024: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has firmly stated that it will only accept a solution for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 that aligns with its position on hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan. This comes amid ongoing discussions regarding the location of the event, particularly with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) making it clear that India will not travel to Pakistan due to the strained political relations between the two nations.
As reported by Geo News, the PCB has held firm on its stance that the tournament should be hosted in Pakistan, refusing the possibility of a hybrid model or neutral venues, which would allow some matches to be played outside Pakistan. The issue has caused a significant impasse, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) calling for meetings to discuss the situation.
ICC’s Effort for Resolution: The ICC held a meeting on Friday with all its members to try and find a viable solution to the ongoing predicament. However, the meeting reportedly lasted only 15 minutes, and no resolution was reached. The meeting was adjourned, and further discussions were planned for Saturday. These discussions were ultimately delayed, but sources suggest that progress will be made once the ICC comes up with a reasonable formula.
BCCI’s Position: The BCCI has reiterated its position that India will not travel to Pakistan due to the security and political situation. India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13, and the two nations have only met in ICC tournaments or the Asia Cup since then. India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan has put the Champions Trophy hosting rights in jeopardy.
PCB’s Firm Stance: The PCB has rejected the idea of a hybrid model, where some matches are played in Pakistan and others at neutral venues. PCB Chairman Najam Sethi and the board have expressed their determination to host the tournament in its entirety on home soil. Sethi emphasized that Pakistan will not accept the idea of playing the tournament in India if India refuses to play in Pakistan, citing the need for equality between the two nations.
- PCB Chairman’s Statement: The PCB chairman has been vocal about the board’s stance, stating, “Our stance is very clear. I promise we’ll do what is best for Pakistan cricket. I’m constantly in touch with the ICC chairman, and my team is talking to them constantly. 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.”
Due to political tensions and security concerns, India has not toured Pakistan since 2008 when they played in the Asia Cup. Since then, the two nations have only met in ICC events or the Asia Cup, with matches often held at neutral venues. The situation has escalated as Pakistan secured the hosting rights for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan has left the event in limbo.
The PCB’s insistence on hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan highlights the broader issue of diplomacy and security in international cricket. The tension between the two cricketing giants has often affected the scheduling and location of major events, and the future of the 2025 Champions Trophy may depend on finding a middle ground that satisfies both the PCB and BCCI.
The situation remains unresolved, and the outcome will depend on the ICC’s ability to broker a solution that balances the political sensitivities of both India and Pakistan. For now, the PCB has made it clear that it will continue to push for Pakistan as the host nation, and it is prepared to take a hardline stance until an agreement is reached that aligns with its position.
The ICC’s next steps will likely involve more discussions with both the PCB and BCCI, as the 2025 Champions Trophy draws closer and both boards aim to secure the best possible outcome for their respective countries and the future of international cricket.
