The International Cricket Council (ICC) has denied reports of an emergency meeting regarding the Champions Trophy. Indian media had claimed that the ICC had scheduled an emergency board meeting on Tuesday to discuss the tournament’s schedule and India’s refusal to participate. However, ICC sources have refuted these claims.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had already dismissed such reports. A PCB spokesperson stated that the ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9 next year.
It is worth noting that after the 1996 ODI World Cup and the 2008 Asia Cup, Pakistan has been awarded the hosting rights for a major ICC event for the first time in years with the Champions Trophy 2025. All matches will be held in Pakistan’s three major cities—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—from February 19 to March 19 next year.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has cited its government’s refusal to allow the team to travel to Pakistan and suggested moving India’s matches to a neutral venue. However, the PCB has rejected the proposal, insisting on hosting the tournament without India if necessary.
India has not played a match in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup. Additionally, the two countries have not engaged in a bilateral series since Pakistan toured India in 2012-13.
Last year, Pakistan was also awarded the hosting rights for the Asia Cup. However, India refused to travel to Pakistan, resulting in a hybrid model where all Indian matches were held in Sri Lanka. In the Colombo final, India easily defeated Sri Lanka to claim the title.
