India-Pakistan cricket rivalry remains the most important spectacle in global sports

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Latest News update In Hindi:The future of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will be the top agenda item at the International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting today, November 29. The virtual meeting will bring together the ICC's 12 full members, three associate members and representatives of the ICC President to decide whether original host country Pakistan can retain its hosting rights. The decision has been taken amid political and logistical challenges, especially with regard to India's participation in the tournament.

India vs Pakistan: hosting dilemma

Pakistan has been awarded the rights to host the Champions Trophy in 2022, with the tournament scheduled for next year. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan citing security concerns and lack of government approval.

India, a former Champions Trophy winner in 2013 and co-winner in 2002, plays an important role in global cricket due to its huge viewership and revenue contribution. The impasse mirrors the situation in the 2023 Asia Cup, where the matches were played in a “hybrid model” keeping in mind India's concerns.

icc champions trophy 2025 possible scenarios for

hybrid model

In this arrangement, matches and final matches involving India can be held at a neutral venue like UAE or Sri Lanka, while other matches will be held in Pakistan. Although this model was used during the Asia Cup, it faced criticism due to logistical challenges and financial inefficiencies.

Shifting the tournament out of Pakistan

If Pakistan rejects the hybrid model, the ICC may shift the entire tournament to a neutral venue. Sri Lanka and UAE are being considered as alternative hosts. The political instability in Islamabad, which recently affected the Pakistan Shaheen Series, further increases the challenges of hosting the event entirely in Pakistan.

Hosting of major matches in Pakistan

If India reaches the finals then under the agreement India's matches and finals can be held in Pakistan. However, given India's staunch stance against visiting Pakistan under any circumstances, this is highly unlikely to happen.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Big challenge for both countries

This situation has increased the tension between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and BCCI. PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf has warned that they will boycott future matches against India if the tournament is moved out of Pakistan. On the other hand, BCCI is emphasizing on the importance of the safety of the players.

The India–Pakistan cricket rivalry remains the most significant spectacle in global sports, consistently attracting record-breaking audiences. However, the absence of bilateral cricket ties since 2012–13 underlines the geopolitical barriers to organizing events involving both countries.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: important decision today

The ICC faces a challenging decision to balance the interests of its members, logistical realities and the political sensitivities surrounding India and Pakistan. With just over a year left for the tournament to begin, today's board meeting will be crucial in determining the future of the Champions Trophy. Cricket fans around the world are anxiously awaiting the result as the ICC tackles one of the sport's most delicate diplomatic challenges.

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