The uncertainty surrounding the 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan, continues to persist, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) facing potential financial repercussions due to its failure to meet the contractual deadline for releasing the tournament schedule.
As stipulated in the contract, the ICC was required to announce the schedule at least 90 days before the event and share it with all stakeholders. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had proposed a draft schedule for the tournament, set to run from February 19 to March 9, 2025.
However, India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan over security concerns and Pakistan’s opposition to hosting the event in a hybrid model have delayed the announcement of the tournament schedule.
This delay has negatively impacted broadcasters, particularly JioStar, the ICC’s official media partner.
The report notes, “The broadcaster’s inability to fully exploit the tournament commercially is a significant and hitherto unknown facet of the entire Champions Trophy saga.”
The ICC has not publicly addressed the issue, but the delay poses challenges for stakeholders and the host nation. A board meeting has reportedly been scheduled for Friday, November 29, to discuss the tournament’s future.
The report also states that a PCB official expressed dissatisfaction with the uncertainty in communication with ICC CEO Geoff Allardice.
Since 2012, India and Pakistan have only played against each other in ICC and ACC tournaments. Their most recent encounter was during the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pakistan traveled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they finished fifth. India last toured Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
