ICC Champions Trophy 2025: PCB's withdrawal blocked with threats of financial and legal consequences

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is on the brink of potential revenue losses, lawsuits, and growing isolation from the cricketing world as they continue to clang with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the hosting of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled for February and March next year in Pakistan, is now under a cloud of uncertainty due to a deadlock between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) after India refused to cross the border for the event.

PCB's clash with ICC over Hybrid Model for Champions Trophy 2025 could lead to financial, and legal fallout

After the BCCI made it clear that they couldn’t send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan due to safety concerns, the ICC proposed the hybrid model for their matches in the Champions Trophy 2025, and the PCB also agreed to the solution but made some demands.

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However, the BCCI and ICC are not in the mood to accept Pakistan’s unfair demands, and it could lead the PCB to withdraw from the Champions Trophy 2025, which could lead them to revenue losses, legal complications, and strained relations with the other cricket boards.

A senior cricket administrator who is close to the ICC revealed that if Pakistan withdraws from next year’s multi-nation tournament, they could face severe financial consequences.

This includes losing PCB’s share of the revenues from ICC events, which are tied to a mandatory participation agreement (MPA) signed by all member nations, including Pakistan.

ICC threatens PCB with financial consequences, thanks to MPA

The matter is further complicated by Pakistan’s hosting agreement with the ICC, which makes it mandatory to take part in the Champions Trophy unless the hybrid model formula they have proposed is fully accepted.

If the conflict isn’t resolved, Pakistan’s exit from the event could lead to serious legal and financial consequences, putting their future involvement in ICC events at risk, as there is a lot at stake.

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The administrator was quoted as saying by PTI: “Pakistan has not only signed a host agreement with the ICC but, like all other participating nations in the event, it has also signed a mandatory members participation agreement (MPA) with the ICC. It is only after a member nation signs the MPA for playing in an ICC event that it is eligible to get a share of revenues earned from ICC events.”

International Cricket Council under pressure due to broadcasting deal

The administrator also revealed that the ICC's broadcasting deal guarantees that all member nations, including Pakistan, will participate in the global events, including the Champions Trophy.

So, the governing body would not want to risk its broadcasting deal for the PCB. He further explained, “Most importantly, when the ICC signed a broadcasting deal for all its event rights, it gave a guarantee to them that all ICC members are available to play in their events, including the Champions Trophy.

The estimated bid a broadcaster makes for a long-term deal with the ICC is only after he has calculated the estimated value of all matches involving all countries, and it is no surprise that the broadcaster offsets his loss of revenues from other matches with the estimated earnings from selling commercial spots and other rights for the Pakistan and India fixtures.”