With less than 100 days left for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to be held in Pakistan, the dates and schedule of the tournament have not been announced, further increasing the uncertainty surrounding the event. However, sources close to the developments told IANS that the ICC could finalise and announce the schedule by the end of this week following ongoing discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to address India's concerns.
India, one of the eight participating nations, has refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, citing government restrictions. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has conveyed its position to the ICC, prompting the PCB to seek clarifications for India's stance.
In response, the PCB is reportedly considering taking the matter to the Council of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if no solution is found. The PCB has stuck to its stance of hosting the event entirely in Pakistan, and is opposed to any kind of compromise formula seen during the 2023 Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup.
During the 2023 Asia Cup, the PCB reluctantly agreed to a hybrid model, with India's matches being held in Sri Lanka. Later, during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Pakistan participated despite strong objections from its government. These instances highlight the political and logistical complexities that could come into play once again.
Amid the uncertainty, the ICC has launched the Trophy Tour for the Champions Trophy 2025 to drum up excitement for the tournament. The tour kicked off in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Saturday, where the iconic silverware was displayed at several sites, including Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque and Pakistan Monument. The launch event was attended by cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar, who accompanied the trophy to its stops in the city.
The ICC is working to address India's travel concerns, but a solution remains uncertain.
