The fate of the Champions Trophy is no longer in the hands of the players on the field, but will instead be decided at the table during the upcoming ICC Board meeting next week.
Reports suggest that the tournament has been plagued by complications from the start, with India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan adding to the complexity of the situation. This issue will now be addressed directly at the ICC Board meeting.
Expected to be held via video call early next week, the meeting will focus on the potential implementation of a hybrid model for the tournament. Pakistan has remained firm in its stance, insisting that all matches should be hosted within the country. India, on the other hand, has expressed its preference to play its matches in the UAE. The PCB will be urged to accept the hybrid model, with the possibility of relocating the entire event to a neutral venue on the table.
At this point, two options will be presented: either Pakistan refrains from participating or refuses to play against India. Both sides remain steadfast in their positions, and the ICC continues to observe as tensions escalate. Meanwhile, stakeholders eagerly await the release of the tournament schedule, with mounting anxiety as the deadline looms.
To secure support in the upcoming meeting, the PCB has been actively lobbying. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently met with officials from the England Cricket Board and plans to reach out to other boards to align them with Pakistan’s position. If the decision goes against Pakistan, legal action could be pursued, and should the Pakistani team refuse to play against India, broadcasters may also take legal action against the ICC.
In early December, Indian Board Chairman Jay Shah will assume office, and sources suggest that the ICC’s current pro-India stance, driven by financial interests, could become even more pronounced with his appointment. In the meantime, the renovation of stadiums for the event has cost 13 billion rupees, and efforts to pressure Pakistan into revising its stance through financial compensation are expected.
The ICC Board consists of 17 members, including Chairman
1- Greg Barclay, independent directors (names yet to be confirmed),
2-Mohsin Naqvi (Pakistan),
3-Mirwaiz Ashraf (Afghanistan),
4-Mike Baird (Australia),
5-Farooq Ahmed (Bangladesh),
6-Richard Thompson (England),
7-Jay Shah (India),
8-Brian McNeice (Ireland),
9-Roger Toze (New Zealand),
10-Dr. Muhammad Abdus Samad Musa Ji (South Africa),
11-Shami Silva (Sri Lanka),
12-Dr. Kishore Shelu (West Indies), and
13-Taungwa Mkhulani (Zimbabwe).
Associate members include Mubashir Usmani, Mahinda Velapuram, and Imran Khawaja (Deputy Chairmen).
PCB sources have stated that they have not received any official notification regarding the meeting yet. They maintain their stance that there are no security concerns in the country, and since all other teams are attending, India should also participate. The hybrid model, however, remains unacceptable to Pakistan.