The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to meet with BCCI and PCB to discuss issues related to the Champions Trophy schedule.
The uncertainty has been engulfed in the Champions Trophy as India and Pakistan continue to cast a shadow over the tournament.
In response, the ICC has reportedly scheduled an emergency meeting on November 26 to address key issues threatening the event’s smooth execution.
The tension on the tournament started begins on the BCCI’s refusal to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan, citing security concerns and strained diplomatic ties between the two countries.
The stance on the issues has left the ICC and PCB scrambling for alternatives to ensure the tournament remains on schedule.
During the meeting, ICC will be acting as a mediator, aiming to balance PCB’s stance on retaining hosting rights and BCCI’s refusal to play in Pakistan.
Among the proposed solutions is a hybrid model, which suggests dividing the tournament’s matches between Pakistan and neutral venues. The PCB has opposed the ideas of adopting a hybrid model and tarnshing Pakistan’s image as a viable destination for international cricket.
The meeting will include key points include the venue for high profile matches like IND vs PAK, the possibility of hosting the semifinals and final at neutral locations, and the implications of moving the entire tournament out of Pakistan.
There’s also a speculation over whether Champions Trophy could proceed without Pakistan, a scenario that would significantly alter the competition’s dynamics.
Earlier, the PCB had announced the Champions Trophy tour that included the disputed Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) region, along with cities such as Islamabad, Taxila and Khanpur. But India’s intervension, ICC cancelled the Champions Trophy Tour in POK.
The revised tour now covers various cities across Pakistan until November 25, after which the trophy will travel to the seven other participating nations.
The trophy will be displayed across several cities from January 15 – 26 before returning to Pakistan on January 27 marking the final leg of its global journey.
The meeting on November 26 are expected to play a crucial role in determining whether the tournament can proceed as planned or if alternative arrangements need to made.
Both boards are under pressure to priortize the sport while balancing political tensions.
