The International Cricket Council (ICC), still unable to set a new date for its Board meeting to resolve the deadlock over the Champions Trophy due to India’s refusal to visit Pakistan, has scheduled an internal meeting with its sponsors and stakeholders on Thursday, sources informed Dawn.
The delay in confirming the schedule for the Champions Trophy, which is set to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, is causing concern among sponsors and broadcasters who need to make their arrangements.
The deadline for announcing the schedule was November 20, but confusion remains as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to accept the hybrid formula proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). This formula suggests that Pakistan and India play their matches at neutral venues for events hosted by each country.
“The ICC has called a meeting with its sponsors and broadcasters on Thursday to update them on the current situation regarding the Champions Trophy,” sources told Dawn. “The BCCI has not submitted any proposals to the ICC to resolve the issue, and since India is considered cricket’s financial powerhouse, the ICC cannot finalize the schedule without India’s approval.”
The ICC may seek feedback from sponsors and broadcasters on the way forward if the BCCI continues to refuse to send its team to Pakistan and rejects the hybrid formula presented by the PCB. The ICC might also ask them to wait for a definite date as it continues to seek a resolution.
The absence of India from the tournament would result in significant financial losses for the ICC, putting it in a difficult position.
India is set to host several major ICC events in the coming years, including the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, the 2026 T20 World Cup (jointly with Sri Lanka), the 2029 Champions Trophy, and the 2031 ODI World Cup.
Sources noted that if the BCCI does not accept the PCB’s proposed formula, the ICC may have no choice but to postpone the Champions Trophy until a resolution is reached.
