ICC Champions Trophy 2025: ICC threatens to shift tournament to South Africa amid Pakistan-India dispute

According to the latest report, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will shift the Champions Trophy 2025 to South Africa if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) withdraws over its dispute with India.

Amid the Champions Trophy controversy between India and Pakistan, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has already prepared a backup plan to ensure that the competition goes ahead as scheduled in February-March 2025.

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ICC demands PCB's response over India's refusal to visit Pakistan

According to PTI, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked for a response from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 in Hybrid Model after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) denied sending Team India to Pakistan.

If the Hybrid Model comes into the picture, the India National Cricket Team will be playing their matches in UAE and the final in Dubai. Also, the BCCI has set a strict condition of not visiting Pakistan even for the final.

"Unless the PCB decides to pull out of hosting the Champions Trophy the current plan is to hold India's matches in UAE and the final in Dubai," a source told PTI on Monday.

"The Indian Cricket Board has told the ICC that a Hybrid Model is acceptable to them only if the final is held in Dubai and not in Pakistan," the source added.

Notably, Pakistan and India do not play against each other in bilateral series and only lock horns in ICC and ACC events.

The last time India visited Pakistan for a bilateral series was in 2005-2006. During that tour, India played three Test matches and five One Day Internationals. After that, the Men In Blue also visited Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2008. Meanwhile, Pakistan last toured India in 2012-13 for a white-ball series, and after that, they visited India for a few ICC events.

PCB to get full hosting rights fees in Hybrid Model

On Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board didn't give any response to the International Cricket Council over India's rejection to visit the country for the Champions Trophy.

However, reportedly, the ICC has asked PCB if they are ready for the Hybrid Model. The governing body has also assured the Pakistan Cricket Board that they will be getting full hosting fees and a majority of the matches if they shift to the Hybrid Model.

"The ICC has told the PCB that if it decides to go ahead with the hosting of the mega event on a Hybrid Model it would get its full hosting fees and majority of the matches," the source said.

Recently, a few reports claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board was looking to pull out of hosting the tournament if India didn't send a team to Pakistan. And now, according to the latest report, the ICC would shift matches to South Africa if the PCB withdraws.

There is no talk about having the Champions Trophy on a Hybrid Model - Source

A PCB source has also revealed that there have been no discussions within the board about the Hybrid Model.

"There is no talk about having the Champions Trophy on a Hybrid Model system as of now," a reliable PCB source told PTI.

"An email is to be sent to the ICC with the advice of its legal department in which the Board wanted clarifications from the ICC on the Indian decision," the source said.

"As of now, the entire situation is being gauged by the PCB. No decision has been taken on the next step. Yes the PCB is in touch with the government for consultation and directives if required," the source added.