New Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has sought a response from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the decision to host the Champions Trophy 2025 in a hybrid model after India pulled out of the plans of travelling to Pakistan. The PCB confirmed it on Sunday that they received an email from the ICC about India declining to send its team to the neighbouring country.
According to a PTI report, India’s matches could be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the final in Dubai. “Unless the PCB decides to pull out of hosting the Champions Trophy the current plan is to hold India’s matches in UAE and the final in Dubai,” a source informed PTI on Monday. “The Indian Cricket Board has told the ICC that a hybrid model is acceptable to them only if the final is held in Dubai and not in Pakistan,” the source added.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan board kept mum, not giving any reaction to the BCCI informing the ICC about the Indian government’s decision to not send its team to play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. However, as per sources, the ICC has asked the PCB to confirm if a hybrid model is feasible for them, where India’s games and final would be played in Dubai.
ICC assures PCB of hosting fees
The report also included that the cricket governing body has assured the PCB that under this agreement (hybrid model), they are bound to receive complete hosting fees and a majority of the matches. “The ICC has told the PCB that if it decides to go ahead with the hosting of the mega event on a hybrid model it would get its full hosting fees and majority of the matches,” the source added.
However, if the PCB opts to withdraw from hosting the marquee event due to India’s refusal, the ICC could also consider moving the entire fifty-over event to South Africa, the source further informed. Meanwhile, the Pakistani media have already speculated on potential responses – one of which is the Pakistan government asking the PCB to avoid playing India completely, and another, where the PCB is pursuing legal action against the ICC and the BCCI at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Geneva.
(With PTI inputs)
According a latest report, the ICC is seeking a response from the PCB on considering to host Champions Trophy in a hybrid model after India’s refusal to play the tournament in Pakistan. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
