The suspense over the venues and schedule of the 2025 Champions Trophy continues, as a crucial meeting of the Governing Board of the International Cricket Committee on Friday failed to arrive at a decision, with the members set to reconvene in the next few days to end the impasse on the eight-team tournament.
The ICC Board meeting held over an online call is believed to have all 15 members of the board – 12 full members representatives and three Associate nations directors – in attendance along with CEO Geoff Allardice and Chairman Greg Barclay.
According to sources, the ICC Board indeed met on Friday for a short while but could not take a decision. Further, they have stated that all parties concerned are engaged in efforts to ensure an amicable solution to the 2025 Champions Trophy. IANS also gathered that the Board will reconvene in the next couple of days.
The 2025 Champions Trophy is scheduled between February 19 and March 9. However, it has hit a roadblock after BCCI stated that it did not have the Indian government's permission to travel and play its matches in Pakistan.
Pakistan has won the rights to host 2025 Champions Trophy 2025 and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has been very clear on his stance of hosting the event entirely in the country. With India refusing to visit Pakistan, a hybrid model looks like the most feasible for playing the 15-match event.
Last year, Pakistan hosted the Men's 50-over Asia Cup in a hybrid model after India refused to travel to the country. India played all their matches of the tournament in Colombo including the semifinal and final, which they won.
The eight teams will compete in the 2025 Men's Champions Trophy, with four teams divided into two groups. The top two teams of each group will qualify for the semifinals that will lead to the title clash.
Read also| Bajrang Punia Handed Four-Year Suspension by NADA for Anti-Doping Violation
