ICC to Announce Champions Trophy Schedule Over India-Pakistan Travel Row

As the battle over the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 continues top officials in cricket are in secret negotiations with the PCB. Till now, Pakistan, the designated host for the tournament, has turned down the hybrid model proposal under which some matches would be shifted to a neutral venue to satisfy India’s security concerns. The tournament schedule remains a major bone of contention, and both boards are quite rigid in their stand. 

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has once again affirmed his country’s stance of holding all Champion Trophy games in Pakistan. Naqvi urged the world that every other qualified team had agreed to play in Pakistan, but India was the only team that refused. The PCB has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) through the ICC for clarification as to why it declined to tour, saying that it would ensure India has no reason to fear for its security. 

Although PCB used to have a mix of home and away series for the 2023 Asia Cup where nine matches were played in Sri Lanka, Naqvi said that a similar situation with Champions Trophy will not be acceptable. ’Pakistan’s respect comes first,’ he said categorically pointing to the board’s strong determination on the issue. 

The BCCI has claimed security to be the main reason why the Indian team cannot be sent to Pakistan. However, as per the ICC officials, the board favors India due to its large fan following and revenue generation factor. The PCB has been advised of the impact on its finances should it pull out of hosting the event altogether. 

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