The tension between India and Pakistan over next year’s ICC Champions Trophy is heating up, with both boards stuck in a standoff that’s delaying the tournament schedule.
As cricket fans eagerly wait, the ongoing saga sees BCCI rejecting the “tit-for-tat” condition on hosting, keeping the fate of the tournament in limbo. Here’s the latest from the showdown that’s got everyone talking.
The issue arose after India refused to play their matches in Pakistan, citing security concerns and ongoing political tensions. The BCCI’s decision last month left the tournament in limbo, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) agreed to the hybrid model—but only if every ICC tournament in India until 2027 follows the same rule, meaning Pakistan wouldn’t travel to India for those events.
Under this hybrid model, Pakistan will host the group stages, but the high-profile India-Pakistan match will be moved to Dubai. The final could either take place in Dubai or Lahore, depending on whether India qualifies.
However, BCCI has pushed back against this “tit-for-tat” condition, especially the proposal to hold the final in Lahore if India doesn’t make it.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is currently in Dubai, where the ICC’s headquarters are located, to try to iron out the details.
As the stalemate continues, the ICC is unable to announce the schedule for the Champions Trophy, which is set for February 19 to March 19, 2024.
India and Pakistan have only faced off in ICC events since 2012-13, with their last bilateral series taking place when Pakistan toured India. The two teams haven’t met in a series in Pakistan since 2008, and there are no signs of that changing anytime soon.