Where will the Champions Trophy be played? ICC Final Call

 

The ICC has scheduled a virtual board meeting for November 29 to address unresolved questions about the 2025 Champions Trophy's venue and format. The main issue revolves around India's refusal to travel to Pakistan and Pakistan's opposition to a hybrid model that would allow India to play its matches in a neutral country. The meeting aims to reach a consensus, and a final decision could be made during the discussion.

The tournament, set to feature eight teams, is tentatively scheduled for February 19 to March. However, the ICC has yet to formally announce the dates or release a schedule, which typically happens 100 days before such global events.

The delay stems from the Indian government's recent decision to deny permission for Rohit Sharma's team to travel to Pakistan, a move communicated to the ICC two weeks ago. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which secured hosting rights for the Champions Trophy in 2021, sent a formal query to the ICC, seeking clarity on the reasons provided by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and when the ICC was informed. As of now, the PCB has not received a response.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reiterated his commitment to hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan, proposing three venues—Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. While Naqvi expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with the BCCI to resolve the impasse, the PCB has not made any official comment about the upcoming meeting. An ICC spokesperson has confirmed the meeting.

The ICC Board includes representatives from the 12 Full Member nations, three Associate representatives, an independent director, and the ICC chairman and CEO. The November 29 meeting will be the last chaired by outgoing ICC Chair Greg Barclay before he is succeeded by Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, on December 1. Shah is expected to play a significant role in shaping the outcome of the Champions Trophy discussions.

Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, has been occupied in Islamabad addressing political unrest involving the PTI, the party led by former Prime Minister and cricket captain Imran Khan.