ICC Postpones Crucial Meeting on Champions Trophy 2025 Amid India-Pakistan Venue Dispute

Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has deferred its key meeting scheduled for Saturday regarding the Champions Trophy 2025, citing unresolved issues between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Geo News reported.

The meeting’s delay follows ongoing discussions between the two boards over the venue for the much-anticipated tournament, with Pakistan slated as the host. Sources suggest that a breakthrough was achieved recently, with both sides agreeing to play their matches at neutral venues for ICC tournaments hosted by either nation.

Agreed Neutral Venues

Under the proposed arrangement:

India’s matches in Pakistan-hosted ICC events, including the Champions Trophy, will be held in Dubai.
Pakistan’s matches during ICC events hosted in India, such as the 2024 Women’s ODI World Cup and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, will also be played at neutral venues.

This agreement, reportedly set to extend to all ICC events through 2027, was a significant point of contention, particularly with Pakistan demanding a reciprocal hybrid model for events held in India.

Financial and Logistical Considerations

Pakistan stands to earn approximately $6 million from hosting the Champions Trophy, excluding ticket sales and hospitality revenue. However, the PCB is expected to allocate $1.2–1.3 million for tournament insurance.

Meanwhile, India enjoys a considerable financial edge, receiving 38% of ICC’s annual revenue share, amounting to $90–95 million. The financial stakes are further underscored by the viewership and revenue generated by India-Pakistan matches, which are among the most watched in the world.

The India-Pakistan clash in the 2023 World Cup garnered 173 million TV viewers in India and 225 million digital viewers globally.
The 2021 T20 World Cup match between the two nations saw 167 million viewers and 15.9 billion minutes of engagement in India alone.

Next Steps

Despite the breakthrough, logistical and scheduling issues remain unresolved. Sources indicated that the ICC’s executive-level discussions are ongoing, with a revised schedule expected to be announced soon.

The Champions Trophy is slated to begin in February 2025, but India’s refusal to send its team to Pakistan has complicated planning. The ICC meeting will reconvene once remaining issues are ironed out.

This development highlights the persistent political and logistical hurdles in cricket relations between India and Pakistan, underscoring the ICC’s critical role in managing these challenges for the sport’s global growth.