An emergency meeting of the Champions Trophy 2025 was held to decide the schedule of the mega-event to be held in February-March next year, but the PCB refused to accept the ‘hybrid model’. No conclusion could be reached from this meeting, because India had refused to go to Pakistan due to security reasons.
By Anurag Mishra
Published Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2024 09:28:16 AM (IST)
Updated Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2024 02:02:18 PM (IST)
HighLights
- Pakistan warned against accepting ‘hybrid model’.
- BCCI refused to go to Pakistan due to security reasons.
- Loss to Pakistan for not accepting ‘hybrid model’.
Sports Desk, Indore. Champions Trophy 2025: The ICC (International Cricket Council) has given a clear warning to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that if they do not accept the ‘hybrid model’ for organizing the 2025 Champions Trophy, Pakistan may lose the hosting rights.
The ICC has said that if Pakistan does not give up its stubbornness and does not agree to the ‘hybrid model’, then this big tournament to be held next year can be organized in some other country, but Pakistan will not participate in this tournament. Will get.
What is ‘Hybrid Model’?
ICC board member and Pakistani cricket official Mohsin Naqvi clarified his position on hosting the Champions Trophy, but rejected the ‘hybrid model’ due to India’s security concerns.
In the ‘hybrid model’, most of the matches will be played in Pakistan, but India’s matches will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This model has been prepared keeping in mind the security concerns of India and the situation of terrorism spread in Pakistan. Pakistan is not ready to accept this, due to which the matter is becoming complicated.
BCCI’s clear stand
India has clearly refused to go to Pakistan due to security reasons. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Ministry of External Affairs have already clarified that Team India will not go to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
BCCI has expressed concern over India playing matches in Pakistan citing security reasons. India has said that it may not be safe for its team to travel to Pakistan, which has made the matter more complicated.
Decision could not be taken in ICC meeting
No conclusive result could be reached on this issue in the ICC Executive Board meeting held on 29 November. The objective of the meeting was to decide the schedule of the 2025 Champions Trophy, but due to the stubborn stance of the PCB, no consensus could be reached.
After that the ICC again urged Pakistan to consider the ‘hybrid model’. It was also said in the meeting that if Pakistan does not accept this model, then the tournament can be held in some other country. Pakistan’s name may also be out.
Broadcasters’ pressure on Pakistan
An ICC board source said that no broadcaster would invest money in an event in which India would not participate. India is the largest and most influential market in the world of cricket. No major cricket event can be successful without India. In such a situation, Pakistan needs to understand that ‘hybrid model’ can be the best option for them.
PCB may suffer major losses
If the ‘hybrid model’ is not accepted, Pakistan may not only lose out on hosting the Champions Trophy, but may also lose hosting fees and gate revenue of around US$6 million. Apart from this, there could also be a big reduction in Pakistan’s annual revenue, which is now around US$35 million.
ICC’s next step
The ICC has said that they will meet again in the next few days to resolve the issue. It is expected that by this time the PCB will agree on the ‘hybrid model’. If this does not happen, then a new plan will have to be prepared for the Champions Trophy to be held in February-March next year.
Pakistan’s answer
There is a possibility from Pakistan that they may respond by not participating in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup to be held in India. At the same time, it may also be difficult for Pakistan to demand a ‘hybrid model’ for the Men’s T20 World Cup to be held in Sri Lanka next year.
