Last update:November 22, 2024, 9:39 p.m. IST

It is reported that the ICC will hold an emergency meeting with the participating country’s cricket board to discuss concerns regarding Pakistan’s hosting of the Champions Trophy.

ICC to discuss concerns over Pakistan’s hosting of Champions Trophy 2025. (Image: X)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly called an emergency meeting to discuss the Champions Trophy 2025 tournament, during which all top officials of the affiliated boards will meet to discuss the tournament to be held in Pakistan , their concerns and more.

According to an India Today report, the ICC is expected to act as a mediator in the hope of reaching a resolution that includes discussion of security concerns in Pakistan mentioned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to do not travel. in the country in a context of tense relations between the two nations.

Despite India refusing to make the trip, Pakistan doubled down on hosting the tournament and rejected the ‘hybrid model’.

This is where tournament matches are split between a neutral venue and Pakistan, similar to the 2023 Asia Cup with Pakistan and Sri Lanka as hosts.

Key discussion points according to the report include groupings for India and Pakistan, hosting the semi-finals and final at a neutral venue and what’s next if Pakistan doesn’t approve the hybrid model . Furthermore, discussions will also be held for the entire tournament to be held at a neutral venue as well as the possibility of Pakistan not participating in the tournament.

The BCCI had filed a complaint with the ICC regarding Pakistan’s holding of a trophy tour to disputed areas such as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), Islamabad, Taxila and Khanpur. Since the complaint, the ICC has changed the route which covers many cities in Pakistan.

The Champions Trophy was last held in 2017, when Pakistan beat India by 180 runs in the final held in London. With the return of the tournament, it will give more importance to 50-over cricket, which has declined in recent years with the ODI World Cup taking place every four years.

The revival of the tournament will be of huge importance to international cricket, the ICC and cricket boards around the world. The discussions could have a significant influence on the future of CT 2025 and the ICC’s ability to balance the sensitive issues that put the tournament’s return at stake.