ICC Tell PCB No Champions Trophy Possible Without India, Told To Stop Giving Statements Against...: Report

With exactly three months left to go for the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT), there remains no clarity on the venue after India made it clear that they will not travel to Pakistan for the mega event, while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) insist on holding the entire competition in their country. For those unversed, India have not played any international cricket in Pakistan for 16 years with their last outing in the neighbouring nation coming in 2008 during the Asia Cup. The strained political ties between the countries has meant that there has been no bilateral series between the two teams since 2012-13. Pakistan are hosting an ICC event after 29 years with the 1996 Cricket World Cup, the last hosted in the country. They were awarded the rights to host the 2008 Champions Trophy as well as co-host in the 2011 World Cup but both tournaments were moved away due to securiy reasons.

ICC Tell PCB TO Accept Hybrid ModelAccording to a report by news agency ANI, the International Cricket Council is in back-channel talks with the PCB to ensure they accept a hybrid model and make them understand that the arrangement is the best possible solution. The report adds that the world cricket governing body has made it clear that no ICC tournament is possible without India taking part in it. ICC officials are also urging Pakistan to not make any statements against India. The schedule for the tournament is expected to be announced in a couple of days, with India set to play their matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to multiple reports, the 2025 Champions Trophy is expected to take place from February 19 to 29. The draft schedule prepared by the PCB has allocated all India matches in Lahore, with the marquee India-Pakistan clash scheduled for March 1.