No Objections Raised Over Champions Trophy Schedule, But India’s Last-Minute Concerns Cause Uncertainty
In a recent ICC Board meeting held in Dubai, no objections were raised regarding the schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, according to sources. This includes India, whose participation was presumed secure until verbal communication from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suggested an inability to travel to Pakistan. The ICC meeting, held alongside the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup last month, saw the match schedule shared with all teams and approved by ICC’s main broadcast partner, Star.
The Champions Trophy is set to feature 15 matches across three venues in Pakistan: Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. Updates provided by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during the October meeting confirmed that development work at these venues is progressing well, and a January testing event is planned to ensure security compliance.
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Sources reveal that the PCB had organized a high-profile event on November 11 to unveil the tournament’s schedule, identity, and trophy tour. However, the BCCI’s last-minute verbal statement to the ICC disrupted these plans, causing frustration among stakeholders. “The timing raises questions, especially since no concerns were discussed at the ICC Board meeting, which would have been the proper forum,” a source in Islamabad suggested, noting that India’s sudden communication may reflect “mala fide intentions” to delay or complicate the event.
Further complicating matters, the PCB recently sent a questionnaire to the ICC seeking clarification on BCCI’s stance, but as of yet, no written confirmation from BCCI has been shared. “If a formal objection existed, the ICC would have communicated it by now,” the source added. This delay has put commercial plans, including branding and promotional activities, on hold, creating logistical and financial strain with less than 100 days until the tournament begins.
The Champions Trophy’s host agreement was signed in December 2023, raising questions as to why BCCI did not consult its government earlier if travel concerns existed.
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