ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on the verge of cancellation after BCCI rejects PCB's Fusion Formula

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has suffered a fresh setback as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has categorically rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) demand for neutral venues for future ICC tournaments hosted by India, citing there is no security threat in the country.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that any proposal for neutral venues is not acceptable in return for their hybrid model demand for the Champions Trophy 2025.

BCCI stuns ICC with rejection of PCB's request for neutral venues in return for hybrid model for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The BCCI has reportedly emphasized that the safety and security conditions in India are very strong, so there is no justification for such arrangements for Pakistan in future ICC tournaments.

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The Telegraph report stated: “The BCCI has sent a clear message to the ICC brass in this regard leading to a fresh impasse. The BCCI’s contention is simple — there is no security threat in India and hence no question of accepting such an arrangement.”

Actually, after India refused to play Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly agreed to the hybrid model following the recent ICC Board meeting. In return, the PCB proposed not playing any ICC tournament in India.

India to host four major ICC events in the next cyle

India is scheduled to co-host the 2026 T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka, the Women’s ODI World Cup next year, the Champions Trophy in 2029, and the ODI World Cup in 2031, and Pakistan demanded the same arrangement for the Men in Green if they can’t cross the border for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Responding to Pakistan’s demand, the BCCI has reportedly conveyed to the ICC that there is no security threat in India, so a neutral venue arrangement asked by the PCB is totally unacceptable. India’s strong stance has reportedly caused a new standoff between the BCCI and the ICC.

Read Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Harbhajan Singh orders PCB to 'set ego aside' and accept hybrid model

Well, all involved parties are reportedly determined to reach a mutually agreeable resolution to the ongoing Champions Trophy dispute, with the ICC board set to meet again in the coming days. As former BCCI secretary Jay Shah is set to take over as ICC chairman this week, the situation is likely to see further twists regarding the eight-nation tournament.

An emergency meeting set to break the ongoing CT 2025 deadlock

It is being said that the ICC had planned an emergency board meeting on Thursday, December 5, to address the hybrid model and break the ongoing deadlock over the tournament, but it remains uncertain. However, some reports also claimed that Jay Shah called for a virtual meeting on December 5, but it is not clear whether the India-Pakistan standoff will be discussed.

A brief ICC Board meeting was conducted last Friday, and it ended abruptly after the PCB rejected the hybrid proposal for the tournament. Interestingly, the PCB reversed its stance just hours after the ICC hinted at potentially shifting the Champions Trophy to another location with a fusion formula.