Champions Trophy 2025 moving out of Pakistan? ICC calls board meeting to decide on final venue

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has called a board meeting on November 29 to decide on the venue of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 event. The tournament, originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan, has been in limbo ever since India's refusal to travel to the country.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to send India to Pakistan after the Government of India denied the permission given the political tensions and the same was communicated to the ICC about two weeks ago. Pakistan, on the other hand, is steadfast on hosting the tournament entirely in the country and has not accepted the BCCI's demand to host it under a hybrid model – thus the stalemate.

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As per cricket news website ESPNCricinfo, the apex body hopes to reach a conclusion on November 29 in the board meeting. The ICC board constitutes representatives from 12 full states, three representatives from associates, an independent director and the CEO and chairman as well.

This would also be the last board meeting under outgoing chief George Barclays who is set to be replaced by BCCI secretary Jay Shah on December 1.

The ICC, because of the stalemate, hasn't even announced the dates or schedule of the tournament. 

Both countries do not play bilateral cricket due to political tensions. The two sides have only met in ICC events since 2012.

India had decided not to play in Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2023 last year as well and the tournament was played under a hybrid model with India's games being scheduled in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan, however, travelled to India for the ODI World Cup 2023 immediately after the ODI WC and hoped for India to return the favour.

The Champions Trophy is expected to be played from February 19 to March 9 across three venues in Pakistan: Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore.