Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suffered another big blow ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. A day after India confirmed its denial to travel to Pakistan, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has called off an important event due to scheduling issues.
It is believed that the ICC was expected to formally announce the official dates and program for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Lahore on November 11 in the canceled event. The draft schedule had already been shared by the PCB a few months earlier.
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ICC calls off November 11 event for Champions Trophy
An official who is close to all the developments confirmed that the schedule is still not confirmed. It will be finalized after discussing it with the PCB and all the other participating nations.
“The schedule is not confirmed, we are still in discussions with the host and participating nations on the Champions Trophy schedule. Once confirmed we will announce through our normal channels,” said the official as quoted by Cricbuzz.
The ICC had made big arrangements for the event as it would have marked the 100-day countdown to the Champions Trophy, which will be held next year from February 19 to March 9. However, the recent scheduling issues have further complicated things.
BCCI informs ICC about India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan
Recently, the BCCI also informed the ICC about India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the event. There has been no response from the PCB and the ICC regarding the matter yet and it remains to be seen what step PCB takes now.
There is also a toxic smog which is surrounding the Lahore city. It is likely that the ICC might give it as a reason to cancel the event.
“It was only a trophy tour flag-off and tournament/branding launch. That (the event) is still in the works — though may be rescheduled because Lahore outdoor activities are difficult right now,” an official tried to reduce the importance of the event of November 11.
With India denying travel to Pakistan, the PCB and the ICC are likely to move to a hybrid model to host the Champions Trophy 2025. The preparations had already been there given India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan over the years.
It is likely that the UAE will host the event alongside Pakistan as part of the hybrid model. The budget allows for a contingency plan of hosting some of the matches outside Pakistani territory.
India’s schedule in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to be changed
India’s matches are likely to be held in Abu Dhabi or Dubai in the UAE. According to the draft schedule, India will play its opening match of the tournament against Bangladesh on February 20, New Zealand on February 23, and Pakistan on March 1.
However, since India has refused to travel to Pakistan, there can be a change in the scheduling now. Lahore was originally stated to host the final but it remains to be seen whether it gets shifted now that India won’t travel there.
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