The International Cricket Council (ICC) has postponed a key meeting about the 2025 Champions Trophy due to India’s delay in responding to Pakistan’s demands, sources informed on Saturday. The meeting, originally scheduled for today, was expected to address the venue dispute between the two countries.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to respond to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the venue for the 2025 tournament, which has been a source of tension for some time. However, reports suggest that the two nations recently reached a breakthrough, agreeing to play their matches at neutral venues for ICC events hosted by either country. This agreement would apply to ICC events until 2027.
As part of the deal, India’s matches would be played in Dubai, while Pakistan’s games during the T20 World Cup in India would also be held at neutral sites. This arrangement is part of the hybrid model for upcoming ICC tournaments, including the 2024 Women’s ODI World Cup in India and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.
The ICC had planned to announce the Champions Trophy schedule within 48 hours of this development, but the postponement of the meeting has delayed the announcement. The Champions Trophy is set to begin in February 2025, with Pakistan as the host, though India has previously refused to send its team to Pakistan.
Discussions are ongoing between the two countries, with the ICC expected to finalize the tournament schedule once logistical issues are resolved. The PCB is set to earn significant revenue from hosting the event, though it also faces substantial costs, including tournament insurance. In contrast, India receives a major portion of ICC’s revenue, highlighting the financial imbalance between the two countries in global cricket.
