Champions Trophy: Location to be decided after ICC board meeting

LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) will hold a board meeting on November 29 in order to decide where the tournament will be held and how it will be played.

The virtual meeting will be chaired by Greg Barclay, and it will be his last time doing so, as on December 1, current Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah will take over. Barclay will be joined by ICC CEO Geoff Allardice, and the representatives of the twelve-member countries and three associates.

Following India’s decision to not travel to Pakistan for next year’s champions trophy, multiple questions about the tournament arose. Prime among them was the possibility of a hybrid model. With India declining to play in Pakistan, the possibility of playing at a neutral location, such as Dubai, where Pakistan has played many of its home games in the past, was one option. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has remained steadfast in their decision to hold the tournament solely in Pakistan.

Sources have reported that the ICC are leaning towards the hybrid model, with media reports stating that the ICC may take a vote to strip Pakistan of the hosting rights.

ICC Champions Trophy: Schedule continues to be delayed

Whatever they decide, time is ticking. With 84 days left till the tournament begins on February 19, teams and fans alike are still waiting for the schedule for the tournament. The PCB sent a proposed schedule to the ICC, but in order to confirm it, the council must first decide on the matter of India’s inclusion in the tournament.

Earlier, the PCB asked the ICC to inquire as to the exact reasons why India would not be able to travel, but according to a PCB official, no response from the ICC has arrived.

If a hybrid model is off the table, and India don’t budge from their position, another team will need to replace them. This will likely be Sri Lanka, who just narrowly missed out on qualifying for the tournament after their poor performance in the last ODI World Cup.

However, that is an outcome the ICC would prefer to avoid, as partnered broadcasters have threatened legal action against the ICC if the marquee matches between Pakistan and India are not featured. This is due to the fact that contests between two rivals will likely provide the largest viewership out of the entire tournament.

Champions Trophy: ICC removes tour destinations as India objects