The International Cricket Council (ICC) is trying to convince Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to host the 2025 Champions Trophy in hybrid mode. This comes on the back of India declaring their inability to travel to Pakistan for playing the marquee event. As a result, the schedule of the tournament has not been released.
ICC is due for a board meeting on November 29 in order to decide on how the Champions Trophy will proceed ahead. The board members are said to convene virtually and a decision could be finalized after all arrive to a consensus. The board comprises 12 Full Member countries, three representatives from Associates, an independent director along with the ICC chairman and CEO.
The Champions Trophy returns after seven years and will tentatively take place from February 19 to March 9. The PCB is hoping to organize the tournament at three venues – Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. They have spent much money to improve the infrastructure of the stadium in their pursuit of hosting the tournament successfully.
As per the sources, ICC is extending financial benefits to Pakistan, if they adopt to the hybrid model and let India play their games in UAE and the final taking place in Dubai, if India qualifies.
“With the PCB not willing to budge on hosting the event under a hybrid model, they are now being offered additional financial incentives to end the deadlock,” an insider was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
“The PCB so far has resisted all such moves, insisting if India is not willing to play in Pakistan it is their problem as all the six other participating nations have no issues playing in Pakistan,” the insider added.
According to the insider, PCB could agree to a hybrid model, but it wants the final to be held in Dubai. However, an information on the matter will soon be available to the public in the coming days.
How much money did Pakistan allocate for Champions Trophy?
In total, Pakistan have allocated 12.8 billion rupees for the renovation of stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. Out of the total investment, 7.7 billion rupees were allocated for the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Meanwhile, 3.5 billion rupees and 1.5 billion rupees are distributed for Karachi and Rawalpindi, respectively.
The prominent work to be done in the stadiums is renovating the digital screens, floodlights and installating more seats. According to PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, all the work will be done on time ahead of the Champions Trophy.
