Sat Nov 30 07:17:10 UTC 2024: ## ICC Delays Decision on Champions Trophy 2025 Venue Amid India-Pakistan Standoff

**Dubai, UAE –** The International Cricket Council (ICC) has adjourned its meeting to decide the venue for the 2025 Champions Trophy without reaching a decision. The meeting, originally scheduled to finalize the tournament’s schedule, was unable to resolve the impasse caused by India’s refusal to tour Pakistan.

The tournament, initially slated for Pakistan, is now facing a potential hybrid model, with India’s matches, and possibly the knockout stages, to be played at a neutral venue, likely the UAE. This proposal stems from concerns regarding security and recent civil unrest in Pakistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has strongly rejected the hybrid model, stating it is unacceptable that India played in Pakistan for the 2023 World Cup but refuses to reciprocate. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring the tournament is held on an equitable basis. He also highlighted the lack of written confirmation from the Indian government regarding their inability to travel to Pakistan.

While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prioritizes player safety and is open to a hybrid model, the PCB maintains that a full tournament in Pakistan is essential, particularly for the high-profile final. The ICC’s delay in making a decision is causing scheduling concerns, as the tournament is set to begin in February 2025. Further meetings are expected in the coming days to find a resolution. The eight qualified teams – India, Pakistan, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh – await the final decision on where and how the tournament will be played.

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