The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to hold its board meeting on Friday, November 29 to discuss the Champions Trophy and finalize the schedule for the eight-team event, which is expected to take place early next year , India Today learned. . The announcement of the schedule for this marquee ODI tournament has been delayed.

Pakistan holds the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy, but India’s decision not to send its cricket team to play in Pakistan has created a stalemate. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has insisted on not adopting a hybrid model, which would involve holding some matches at a neutral venue. CPC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi reaffirmed this position last week, while also proposing measures to address India’s concerns, including security assurances.

Earlier this week, India Today reported that the ICC had called an urgent meeting involving all stakeholders, including representatives of the Indian Cricket Board, to resolve the issue. According to sources, efforts were being made to persuade Pakistan to accept a hybrid model, thus facilitating the announcement of the tournament schedule.

Last year, Pakistan also held the hosting rights for the Asia Cup. However, the tournament had to take place under a hybrid model after India refused to cross the border. Pakistan hosted only four matches, while Sri Lanka hosted nine, including the final which India won.

Pakistan had written to the ICC earlier in November, asking the international cricket council to ensure that the BCCI lists reasons for not visiting Pakistan. The BCCI, in a letter addressed to the ICC, had said his senior men’s team would not travel to Pakistanciting security concerns.

India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since the 2012-13 season due to tensions in bilateral relations. India last visited Pakistan for a cricket tournament in 2008.

Notably, the PCB had announced a trophy tour that would include the disputed Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) region, as well as cities like Islamabad, Taxila and Khanpur. However, following a complaint from the BCCI, the ICC revised the itinerary. The revised tour now covers various cities in Pakistan until November 25, after which the trophy will travel to the remaining seven participating countries. In India, the trophy will be on display in several cities from January 15 to 26 before returning to Pakistan on January 27, marking the final leg of its global journey.