Sat Nov 30 05:12:47 UTC 2024: ## ICC Board Delays Champions Trophy Decision Amid India-Pakistan Standoff

**Mumbai, India (Nov 29, 2024)** – The International Cricket Council (ICC) board has postponed a final decision on the future of the 2025 Champions Trophy, currently slated for February 19th to March 9th. A virtual meeting held Friday, attended by all 15 board members, failed to resolve the impasse created by India’s refusal to tour Pakistan due to security concerns.

While reports of the meeting’s postponement initially circulated, sources confirm a brief session took place. The board agreed to continue working towards a solution, with a reconvening expected in the coming days.

The hybrid model – with India’s matches, a semifinal, and potentially the final held in the UAE, while Pakistan hosts its matches and another semifinal – appears to be the most viable option. However, this proposal faces opposition from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is currently in Dubai attempting to negotiate a favourable outcome with stakeholders. He previously indicated a willingness to consider a hybrid model only if the same arrangement is applied to future tournaments India hosts until 2031.

This condition presents a significant hurdle, as India is scheduled to host several major tournaments in the coming years, including the Women’s World Cup, Asia Cup, and men’s T20 World Cup. Reluctance from Pakistan to tour India under these circumstances is a real possibility.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has maintained its stance against sending teams to Pakistan, citing security concerns, further reinforced by recent political protests in Islamabad that forced the Sri Lanka A team’s premature departure. Relocating the entire tournament at this late stage is considered a logistical nightmare. The ICC is expected to make an announcement in the next few days.

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