As discussions continue regarding the hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, BJP MP and former Indian Sports Minister Anurag Thakur expressed concerns over Pakistan’s suitability as the tournament’s host. Thakur described the conditions in Pakistan as “not sports-friendly” and “not very safe and secure,” emphasizing India’s firm stance on player safety.
Thakur’s remarks align with India’s long-standing position against playing cricket in Pakistan due to concerns over terrorism and cross-border issues. “India has consistently prioritized the safety and security of players. Until Pakistan demonstrates control over terrorist activities, India is unwilling to play there,” he said. Thakur further highlighted India’s ability to host major cricketing events, citing the recent success of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India and the popularity of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Meanwhile, a significant development regarding the 2025 Champions Trophy has emerged. The ICC and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reportedly agreed in principle to adopt a hybrid model for global tournaments hosted in Pakistan or India until 2027. Under this model, matches involving both countries could be held at neutral venues. This compromise aims to resolve the ongoing impasse between the two nations and ensure smooth hosting of ICC events, according to ESPNcricinfo.
The hybrid model could apply to men’s and women’s ICC tournaments hosted in either country during the current commercial cycle (2024-2027), which includes the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, the Women’s ODI World Cup in India, and the T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. However, the PCB has reportedly attached conditions to its acceptance of the model, such as applying it uniformly across all ICC events and addressing potential revenue losses if India’s matches are played at neutral venues.
Potential neutral venues like the UAE and Sri Lanka have been proposed, and discussions are ongoing about compensating for commercial revenue losses. The PCB has also suggested organizing a tri-nation series involving India and Pakistan to offset financial impacts.
Final decisions are expected after further negotiations during the ICC Board meeting scheduled for December 7. The PCB had originally planned to kick off the Champions Trophy on February 19, 2025, with Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi as host cities. However, the impasse has delayed the release of the tournament schedule.
The agreement reportedly came after meetings between ICC Chair Jay Shah and PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi in Dubai. Shah, the youngest-ever ICC chair at 36, has promised to usher in a “new era” for cricket and aims to elevate the sport globally in collaboration with member nations. Discussions on future strategies and the event’s roadmap have been ongoing, with further clarity expected after the Board meeting.
While Shah’s leadership at the ICC marks a new chapter, speculation surrounds his successor as the BCCI secretary. Joint Secretary Devajit Saikia’s attendance at ICC meetings has fueled rumors about his potential role as the new BCCI representative on the ICC Board.