Jay Shah, former BCCI secretary, took over as ICC president on December 1. Among the matters that require his immediate attention, the 2025 Champions Trophy must be at the top of his list. Currently, the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are locked in a battle over the venue of the 2025 Champions Trophy. The BCCI has said that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan, the designated host of the Champions Trophy. while the PCB has shown strong disagreement over a hybrid hosting model.
After taking over as ICC chairman, Jay Shah made no comment on the Champions Trophy as he outlined his priorities for his term, including leveraging the sport's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a opportunity and further accelerate the growth of the women's competition. game.
However, now a report in Cricbuzz says that Jay Shah has called for a virtual board meeting on December 5, but with no specific agenda. The report does not make it clear whether there will be discussion about the Champions Trophy or not.
Meanwhile, an earlier report in PTI said that the International Cricket Council had directed Pakistan to either accept the 'Hybrid' model of hosting for next year's Champions Trophy or be ready to be kicked out of the event after the adamant The PCB's position had led to an inconclusive meeting of the board of directors on November 29.
The emergency meeting was meant to fix the schedule of the event in February-March next year but failed to reach a consensus after Pakistan again rejected the 'hybrid' model despite India's firm refusal to travel there over security concerns.
It is clear that most ICC board members were sympathetic to Pakistan's situation, but PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi was nevertheless advised to accept the 'hybrid' model as the only 'plausible solution' to the current confusion.
If a 'hybrid' model is adopted, India's share of Champions Trophy matches will be held in the UAE.
“Look, no broadcaster will give a single cent to an ICC event that India is not participating in and even Pakistan knows that. The ICC meeting on Saturday will only take place if Mr Mohsin Naqvi agrees to the 'hybrid model',” a source told the ICC board. PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“If not, the ICC board may have to shift the tournament to another country entirely (it could also be the UAE), but it will be held without Pakistan,” he added.
With PTI inputs
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