The future of the much-anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 is on the line today as the ICC board convenes to make a final decision. Mohsin Naqvi is en route to Dubai this morning to participate in the high-stakes meeting, which could determine the tournament’s fate.
India’s lack of interest in the proposed Pakistani partnership or fusion formula has cast doubt on the event’s future. The newly appointed ICC chairman, Jay Shah, is set to hold crucial talks with board members on Thursday to address the situation.
In a surprising development, India’s refusal to tour Pakistan is not part of the meeting’s agenda. Shah has described the session as introductory, but sources suggest that significant decisions regarding the event will be made in Thursday’s meeting.
The Champions Trophy 2025 has been at a standstill due to BCCI’s refusal to send its team to Pakistan, with the PCB maintaining its opposition to the hybrid model for the eight-team tournament.
However, a new ‘partnership formula’ is now being considered to resolve the deadlock between PCB and BCCI. Under this formula, Pakistan will also not play its matches in India for the next three years, and Dubai is expected to serve as a neutral venue for both teams.
India is set to host three major ICC events in the coming years, including the Women’s World Cup 2025, co-hosting the T20 World Cup 2026 with Sri Lanka, and the Champions Trophy 2027.
Sources indicate that the ICC has advised BCCI to accept this new formula to avoid legal action from Pakistan and resolve the issue without the need for voting. If both parties agree to the proposal, the board meeting may be avoided, and the ICC will inform the board members of the decision.
