ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to take place next year, remains without a finalized schedule as the standoff between the International Cricket Council (ICC), Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continues. While BCCI has declined to send the Indian team to Pakistan, PCB has opposed hosting the tournament under a hybrid model.
News agency PTI quoted a source as saying that PCB has been offered additional financial incentives to end the deadlock. As per the report, seeing PCB's tough stand of not wanting to host Champions Trophy under hybrid model, ICC has offered them additional financial incentives.
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The source told PTI that ICC may hold a virtual meeting on Tuesday (today) to end the ongoing impasse over Champions Trophy.
"Chances are (that) by tomorrow (Tuesday), a clear picture will emerge after a virtual discussion by board representatives on under which format the Champions Trophy would eventually be held early next year," PTI quoted an insider as saying.
The report states that ICC has asked Pakistan Cricket Board to accept additional financial incentives for allowing India to play its matches in UAE, with the tournament final scheduled to take place in Dubai if India qualifies.
"The PCB so far has resisted all such moves, insisting (that) if India is not willing to play in Pakistan it is their problem as all the (other) six other participating nations have no issues (with) playing in Pakistan," he said.
"The PCB is also insisting that even if it agrees to a hybrid model, the Pakistan and India group (stage) match and the final should be held in Lahore," another insider said.
"Obviously, the Indian cricket board is not agreeable to this and is insisting (that) India should play all its matches in Dubai, including the one against Pakistan, the semi-final and the final if they qualify for it," he added.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has so far refrained from making any comments on delay in announcing Champions Trophy schedule.