The International Cricket Council (ICC) has continued discussions with participating countries regarding the schedule of the Champions Trophy. Speculations suggest that the entire tournament may be moved out of Pakistan after India’s refusal to travel there. This information was shared by a source with the news agency PTI.
There were discussions that South Africa could be an alternative host for next year’s Champions Trophy. However, PTI’s report states that there was no such discussion at the ICC on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the ICC has postponed the launch schedule of the prestigious ODI tournament, which was set to take place on November 11 in Lahore. PTI has learned that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not interested in hosting the tournament outside the country, even in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The global governing body, ICC, has received a letter from the PCB requesting written confirmation from the BCCI regarding India’s inability to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
The PCB has informed the ICC that security is not an issue in Pakistan, citing successful hosting of teams like England and New Zealand recently and ensuring similar security for the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan is firm on not hosting the event in a ‘hybrid model’ like last year’s Asia Cup, where India’s matches were played in Sri Lanka. The ICC has yet to respond to the PCB and is in discussions with participating teams regarding the schedule.
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Bilateral Series Held in 2012
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012 but have faced each other in ICC tournaments, including last year’s ODI World Cup in India. Notably, the Asia Cup hosted by Pakistan last year was also modified to a hybrid model after India refused to play in Pakistan, with India playing all their matches in Sri Lanka.
First Champions Trophy Since 2017
The Champions Trophy is set to return to the ICC calendar for the first time since 2017. The tournament could be altered to a ‘hybrid’ model where India may play all their matches at an alternate location, possibly in the UAE, while the rest of the event is hosted by Pakistan. However, a report from Dawn mentioned that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has rejected the possibility of a hybrid model, which could push the ICC to relocate the entire tournament out of Pakistan.