- By Namrata Vijay
- Fri, 29 Nov 2024 11:30 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Champions Trophy 2025: The ICC has warned Pakistan that they should either accept the 'hybrid model' for organizing the 2025 Champions Trophy or else be prepared to lose the hosting rights of the mega event after PCB's adamant stance forced an inconclusive meeting of the executive board on November 29th.
The main reason for holding this emergency meeting was to take out the schedule of the mega-event which would be held in February-March next year but couldn't reach a conclusion after the PCB yet again rejected the concept of a 'hybrid model' since India had already refused to go to Pakistan due to security reasons.
It should be noted here that almost all the ICC board members sympathised with PCB's situation but despite this Mohsin Naqvi was told to follow the 'hybrid model' as it was the only possible solution to the current problem.
If a 'hybrid model' is accepted then India's Champions Trophy matches would be held in the UAE.
"Look, no broadcaster will give a penny to an ICC event that does not have India and even Pakistan knows that. The ICC meeting on Saturday will only happen if Mr. Mohsin Naqvi agrees with the 'Hybrid Model'," an ICC board source was quoted as saying to PTI.
"If not, then the ICC Board might have to shift the tournament entirely to a different country but it will be held without Pakistan," the source further added.
Imran Khawaja, who is ICC's deputy chairperson organized Friday's meeting as outgoing head Greg Barclay didn't attend it owing to unspecified reasons and it was a short meeting, where Naqvi repeated his country's stance yet again. It was Barclay's last official work before Jay Shah took over the reins in December.
"All parties continue to work towards a positive resolution for the Champions Trophy 2025 and it is expected that the Board will reconvene on Saturday and continue to meet over the next few days," a senior administrator of the ICC board was quoted as saying to PTI.
The Ministry of External Affairs also reemphasized BCCI's stance that the Men in Blue won't go to Pakistan owing to security reasons.
"BCCI has issued a statement. They have said that there are security concerns there and it is therefore unlikely that the team will be going there," an MEA spokesperson was seen as saying in a routine briefing after India's participation in the Champions Trophy was brought up.
Naqvi personally attended this meeting as he has been in Dubai since yesterday to reinstate Pakistan's stance. Jay Shah, who is currently BCCI's secretary attended the meeting online since he would be taking over ICC's reigns from December 1.
It should be noted here that if the tournament is rescheduled, then PCB would lose its hosting fee of US$ 6 million and the gate revenue as well. They could also face a deduction of their annual revenue, which is US$ 35 million.
If the upcoming tournament is not held in the 'hybrid model' then even the ICC would suffer as Star, who is the official broadcaster, would renegotiate the multi-billion dollar deal with them.
The tournament would be held between February 19 to March 9 since all the major cricket-playing nations would be involved in bilateral engagements after that.
But the PCB can negotiate for a huge amount since they would be sharing the hosting rights but it is highly unlikely that the whole tournament would be held in Pakistan now.
Pakistan can also retort to India by not participating in the ICC Women's ODI World Cup, which will be held in India next year. A BCCI official, who is close to the whole development, is close to the situation.
"Look, they can ask for a Hybrid Model for the 2025 Women's T20 World Cup but that will be a long shot. As far as the men's T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan's matches will be in Sri Lanka mostly. The India vs Pakistan can be decided later," the source concluded.