Cricket

The International Cricket Council (ICC) faces a dilemma over the hosting of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to send the Indian men's cricket team to Pakistan, citing security concerns. This has angered the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has the legal hosting rights for the event.The PCB is unwilling to accept a hybrid model, where some matches would be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as it has done so on multiple occasions in the past. The situation puts pressure on the ICC to find a solution.The ICC has three options:1. Convince the PCB to agree to the BCCI's hybrid model proposal, which would see five of the 15 games of the tournament being played in the UAE.2. Move the Champions Trophy out of Pakistan entirely, but this could lead to the PCB withdrawing its team's participation.3. Postpone the Champions Trophy indefinitely, which would have significant financial implications for both the ICC and the PCB.The PCB has hosted several top teams in Pakistan in recent years, including New Zealand, England, and Australia. It has also sought an explanation from the ICC over the BCCI's reluctance to send the Indian team to Pakistan.The PCB has been informed by the Pakistan government that the hybrid model is "off the table." The ICC is now facing a difficult decision that could have major consequences for the future of cricket in Pakistan.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has come under scrutiny for its handling of the ongoing impasse surrounding the 2025 Champions Trophy. The tournament, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan, has been thrown into jeopardy after India's refusal to travel to the country due to diplomatic tensions.Despite India's long-standing stance of not touring Pakistan, the ICC failed to anticipate the potential conflict when it awarded the hosting rights to the PCB. According to Cricbuzz, an unnamed "key official" criticized the ICC for not being more proactive in addressing the issue.The official pointed out that India's absence from the Champions Trophy was not raised as a concern in any of the 12 ICC Board meetings held since the tournament schedule was announced. This suggests that the ICC may have been complacent in its oversight of the situation.The PCB has maintained its position that it will not agree to a hybrid model for the tournament, similar to the Asia Cup last year where India's matches were played in Sri Lanka. The PCB insists that security is not an issue in Pakistan, citing the successful hosting of England and New Zealand recently.The ICC has yet to respond to the PCB's request for written confirmation from the BCCI regarding India's inability to travel to Pakistan. The governing body is reportedly discussing the schedule with participating teams, but no decision has been made.The PCB has also indicated that it is not willing to host the tournament outside of Pakistan, including in the UAE. This stance further complicates the situation, as the ICC may struggle to find an alternative venue that meets the requirements of all parties involved.The launch event for the Champions Trophy, which was scheduled to take place in Lahore, has been postponed indefinitely. This is a clear indication that the tournament is facing significant challenges and its future remains uncertain.

The ongoing saga surrounding the Champions Trophy has once again ignited tensions between India and Pakistan, two cricketing giants with a long and complex history. Pakistan cricketer Ahmad Shahzad has openly criticized India's stance on the tournament, accusing them of making "false promises" and prioritizing non-cricket concerns.Shahzad's frustration stems from India's reluctance to play in Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. He believes that Pakistan has consistently praised India's performances on the field, but India has not reciprocated this gesture by supporting Pakistan's hosting of major events."Pakistan now needs to step forward and clarify its stance," Shahzad said on Pakistani channel Geo News. "We've known for a long time that India are making false promises. Whenever they play well, we praise them because they deserve it. But when it comes to this issue (coming to Pakistan), India have been lying for a long time."Shahzad's comments have been met with support from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which is reportedly preparing to challenge the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision. The PCB plans to question the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the rationale behind the BCCI's stance.The ICC now faces a difficult task in finding a solution that satisfies both parties. One option is to move the tournament out of Pakistan entirely, potentially to South Africa or the UAE. However, Pakistan has reportedly threatened to withdraw from the Champions Trophy if hosting rights are removed.The dispute has escalated to a point where it could have significant implications for the future of India-Pakistan cricket relations. The ICC must tread carefully to avoid further damage to one of the most intense rivalries in the sport.

Former Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Rashid Latif has expressed strong views on the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan in cricket. He believes that Pakistan should consider suspending all cricket matches against India and that the ICC should withhold hosting rights from both countries until their issues are resolved.Latif's comments come in the wake of the BCCI's refusal to send its team to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The PCB has written to the ICC seeking written confirmation from the BCCI regarding India's inability to travel to Pakistan.Latif believes that Pakistan should take a strong stance against India's refusal to play in Pakistan. "If I would have been there, I would have taken this decision, and fought against the BCCI," he said.He also suggested that the ICC should stop giving major tournaments to both India and Pakistan until their issues are resolved. "In my opinion, ICC should withhold the hosting rights for both countries until these issues between them are resolved; until their problems are settled," he said.Latif criticized the BCCI's stance regarding security concerns for the Indian team in Pakistan, saying that the ICC's security team had assessed the country and deemed it safe. "This is the first time, I would say, the BCCI is at fault. The reason they are stating is very weak. It has to be in writing that the BCCI and the Indian cricket team is feeling threatened," he said.Latif expressed confidence that Pakistan cricket would not be hampered by a lack of matches with India. "We didn't play at home for 12 long years. What could be more painful than that? Pakistan will get the 34 million dollars in every eight-year time (from ICC), whether they play India or not. The boards that are rich will suffer losses, not a board like PCB that doesn't have the money," he said.

Pakistan's white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, has extended a warm invitation to the Indian cricket team to participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2025. Rizwan's remarks come amidst ongoing uncertainties surrounding the tournament, with reports suggesting that India may refuse to tour Pakistan due to security concerns."KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav are welcome. Everyone who comes will be welcomed. And this isn't our decision; it's the PCB's decision. I hope that when they come, they will be welcomed," Rizwan stated ahead of Pakistan's T20I series against Australia.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly preparing a formal query for the International Cricket Council (ICC), seeking clarification on the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) stance. The ICC has yet to make a decision, but alternate options, including neutral venues in South Africa and the UAE, are reportedly being considered if India declines to play in Pakistan.The lack of bilateral series between India and Pakistan since 2012 has intensified the stakes around ICC events, which have been the only stage where the two teams meet. Last year's Asia Cup, which was supposed to be hosted solely by Pakistan, was split into a hybrid model, with India's matches held in Sri Lanka.This arrangement allowed India to avoid travelling to Pakistan, while Pakistan maintained partial hosting rights. The Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, would mark the return of the tournament to the ICC calendar after seven years and remains a potentially historic occasion for cricket in Pakistan.The PCB is determined to host the tournament successfully and has expressed confidence in its ability to provide a safe and secure environment for all participating teams. However, the BCCI's decision will ultimately determine whether the Champions Trophy can be held in Pakistan as planned.

India's decision to boycott the Champions Trophy in Pakistan has sparked outrage among former Pakistani cricketers. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed India's withdrawal on Sunday, prompting a flurry of criticism.Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez expressed his disappointment on social media, stating that it was a "day dream" to expect India's participation. He emphasized that Pakistan is safe and ready to host the event, but India's concerns about security are unfounded."It was a day dream that India will come to Pakistan to play Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan is safe & ready to host the event. Pakistan hosting all cricket nations at home but somehow not *secure* for India. Waiting for strong & surprised response from government & PCB," Hafeez tweeted.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is seeking clarification from the ICC regarding the hosting of the Champions Trophy. While India's absence has been confirmed, there has been no mention of a hybrid model, as was implemented during the Asia Cup last year.Sources within the PCB indicate that an email will be sent to the ICC seeking clarity on India's decision. The PCB is also consulting with the government for guidance.Speculation suggests that Dubai could host India's matches in the tournament, which is scheduled for February 2025. However, no official decision has been made.The PCB is assessing the situation and will make a decision on the next steps in due course.

The ongoing dispute between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over India's participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy has taken a new turn. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed the PCB that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament, sparking controversy and uncertainty.The PCB has expressed its disappointment and is seeking clarification from the ICC regarding the hosting arrangements. While the ICC has stated that India will not travel to Pakistan, there has been no official confirmation of a hybrid model being proposed.Former England captain Michael Vaughan has weighed in on the situation, expressing concern that the decision could further deteriorate the already strained sporting relationship between India and Pakistan. Vaughan believes that the absence of India from the Champions Trophy in Pakistan could lead to a prolonged hiatus in matches between the two nations."India have obviously announced that they would not be playing in Pakistan, looks like they're going to play in Dubai. I do think by India not going to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, I think that relationship now could be an off-image, it has not been great for a long time and I think it is going to be at its worst," Vaughan said.Vaughan emphasized the global appeal of India-Pakistan matches and expressed regret that India would not be playing in Pakistan. He suggested that the series could be played in neutral venues such as Australia or the UK to accommodate the large fan base.Meanwhile, a report in PTI suggests that the Champions Trophy could follow a hybrid model, with India's matches being played in Dubai or another country. However, a reliable PCB source has denied any such discussions at this stage.The PCB is expected to send an email to the ICC seeking clarification on the Indian decision. The Board is also in consultation with the government for guidance and directives.The situation remains fluid, and the PCB is yet to make a decision on its next steps. The outcome of the ongoing discussions will determine the fate of the 2025 Champions Trophy and the future of India-Pakistan cricketing relations.

The Champions Trophy, a prestigious one-day cricket tournament, has been thrown into disarray by reports that India's men's team will not travel to Pakistan for the event next year. The tournament, which features the top eight ODI teams in the world, is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9.The International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body of cricket, has confirmed that it has received an email from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stating that India will not be visiting Pakistan for the tournament. The PCB had previously rejected the idea of a hybrid tournament, in which India would play its matches at neutral venues.The PCB had anticipated a reciprocal gesture from India after Pakistan traveled to India for the ODI World Cup last year. However, India played its matches, including the final, in Sri Lanka during the Asia Cup in Pakistan last year, which was held under a hybrid format.The BCCI, India's influential cricket board, has refrained from commenting publicly on the matter. The BCCI has significant influence at the ICC, and its secretary, Jay Shah, is set to become ICC chairman next month.The absence of India from the Champions Trophy would be a major blow to the tournament. The matches between India and Pakistan are among the most watched events on the world sports calendar."If you play the Champions Trophy without India or Pakistan, the broadcast rights aren't there, and we need to protect them," said England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould last month.The ICC is now faced with the challenge of finding a solution that satisfies all parties involved. One option could be to move the tournament to a neutral venue, but this would likely be met with resistance from the PCB.Another option could be to allow India to play its matches at a neutral venue, but this would also be a compromise for the PCB.The ICC is expected to make a decision on the matter in the coming weeks.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly preparing to request an explanation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding India's refusal to participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9.According to sources, the PCB is drafting a questionnaire to seek clarification from the ICC on the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has denied accepting a hybrid model that would allow India to play their matches at a neutral venue.The PCB's move comes amid reports that Pakistan is considering withdrawing from the tournament if it is moved out of the country. The ICC has the option of hosting the tournament in a different country, with South Africa and the UAE being potential candidates.The PCB's decision to seek an explanation from the ICC is seen as an attempt to resolve the issue and ensure Pakistan's participation in the tournament. The PCB believes that understanding India's reasons for refusing to tour Pakistan is crucial for determining the next steps.Bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan have been suspended since 2012, although both nations continue to face off in ICC events. The most recent encounter between the two teams was at the T20 World Cup in 2022.Last year's Asia Cup, which Pakistan was originally scheduled to host exclusively, adopted a hybrid format due to India's stance against playing in Pakistan. India's matches were relocated to Sri Lanka, while Pakistan retained partial hosting rights.The Indian team last toured Pakistan in 2008. The PCB's request for an explanation from the ICC is a significant development in the ongoing saga surrounding the Champions Trophy and the strained cricketing relations between India and Pakistan.