ICC Champions Trophy Schedule Gets Green Light at Dubai Meeting”
No Objections Raised Over ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule
KARACHI: The proposed schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to take place in Pakistan, faced no objections during the ICC Board meeting in Dubai last month, sources revealed. The meeting, which coincided with the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, saw the schedule shared with all participating teams and approved by ICC broadcasters.
According to minutes from the meeting, the event’s 15 matches will be hosted across three Pakistani venues: Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. The schedule was finalized in collaboration with the PCB and approved by ICC’s broadcast partner, Star. “All teams received their schedules, and no concerns were raised by any members,” sources confirmed.
However, a source in Islamabad suggested India’s recent verbal communication to the ICC, stating its inability to travel to Pakistan, raises questions about its intentions. “This wasn’t discussed at the ICC Board meeting, the proper forum for such issues. Yet, just as Pakistan was preparing for a major event to mark 100 days to the tournament, the BCCI informed the ICC of its position,” the source claimed.
Pakistan had planned to reveal the match schedule, event branding, and trophy tour on November 11. The PCB also updated the ICC on development work at the three venues and received approval to conduct international testing events at these locations in January.
Before the Dubai meeting, the PCB and ICC jointly briefed security managers from all teams on the tournament’s security plan. No concerns were raised at that time either, the source said.
The PCB recently sent a questionnaire to the ICC regarding India’s verbal communication but is still waiting for a response. “If the BCCI had submitted a formal document, it would have been shared with us. It’s been two days since we wrote to the ICC,” the source explained.
The source also questioned the timing of India’s concerns. “The host agreement was signed in December 2023. Why didn’t the BCCI consult its government earlier instead of waiting until now?”
With less than 100 days to go, the uncertainty surrounding the tournament has frustrated cricket fans and delayed commercial activities. “Many branding and marketing campaigns are on hold due to this situation,” another insider revealed.
The final schedule, though ready and shared internally, is yet to be announced officially.
