If Pakistan doesn’t agree, the ICC might move the entire event through a voting process.
The ICC has scheduled a board meeting to discuss the matter, and the outcome of the Champions Trophy will be determined on Friday. There are intentions to deprive Pakistan of hosting privileges through a ballot process if the government rejects the suggested hybrid model. According to reports, Pakistan can be convinced to modify its position by offering financial incentives. PCB insiders, however, are adamant that they will not consider any offer of co-hosting or extra financial support and are still dedicated to holding the event in Pakistan.
The Champions Trophy has been scheduled for early 2025, marking Pakistan’s long-awaited comeback to hosting an ICC event. India has persisted in posing obstacles, though, as evidenced by its latest refusal to send a team, claiming that it lacked government approval at the same moment when the PCB was about to reveal the tournament schedule. Since then, there has been increasing pressure on Pakistan to agree to the hybrid model, which calls for some matches to be held abroad. The matter has now been brought to the attention of the ICC Board, with no end in sight.
On Friday, November 29, a virtual meeting will be held to talk about the hybrid model. The ICC may utilize a vote procedure to move the entire tournament if Pakistan rejects. PCB may decide not to play against India or boycott the tournament in such a situation. However, because of the financial ramifications, broadcasters might not choose the latter choice.
India has a major advantage in the ICC due to its tremendous financial clout, and when Jay Shah assumes leadership of the ICC next month, its standing will only get stronger. Pakistan has already begun consulting with London-based attorneys in anticipation of possible legal action. The PCB may lose money if the tournament is shifted because it has spent more than 13 billion PKR upgrading stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. Although ICC might provide monetary damages settlement, PCB insists it won’t take such offers or jeopardize its hosting rights.
Mohsin Naqvi (Pakistan), Mirwais Ashraf (Afghanistan), Mike Baird (Australia), Faruque Ahmed (Bangladesh), Richard Thompson (England), Bryan MacNeice (Ireland), Roger Twose (New Zealand), Dr. Musa Abdul Samad (South Africa), Shammi Silva (Sri Lanka), Dr. Kishore Shallow (West Indies), Tavengwa Mukuhlani (Zimbabwe), and associate member directors Mubashir Usmani, Mahinda Vallipuram, and Imran Khwaja (Deputy Chairman) are among the 17-member ICC board.
