Champions Trophy Without India-Pakistan Matches? A ‘Tasteless Dish’, Opines Former Cricketer News24 –

The controversy over the hosting of the Champions Trophy 2025 is the single major stumbling block in finalizing the schedule for the tournament. India has been categorical in stating it does not wish to travel to Pakistan, and Pakistan has flatly opposed any hybrid model for the competition. This puts the two cricketing giants at loggerheads; hence the ICC is unable to make any official announcements about the schedule.

India-Pakistan Playing In Seperate Pools A Possible Solution?

The former Pakistani cricketer and commentator Basit Ali highlighted that a possible solution of India and Pakistan playing in separate pools is being discusssed for the Champions Trophy. But, the idea was met with huge opposition from broadcasters who opposed the move on grounds of it not working out commercially as well as logistically for the tournament.

“What did I tell you about the Champions Trophy, I hope you remember? Try and do the hybrid model, Pakistan and India will not be in the same pool. What happened? Now, I talk to the people who say Ashes is a big series, Border-Gavsakar is a very big series, they should open their eyes. Broadcaster isn’t agreeing to (hybrid model or India and Pakistan in different pools) and it won’t,” said Basit Ali on his YouTube channel. 

Hybrid Model Not Acceptable

“Pakistan hasn’t won against India in any 50-over World Cup. Even then why an India vs Pakistan match is so much important? Even then why is the broadcaster creating so much noise that the hybrid model is not acceptable. Even for ICC, it is not acceptable. If there is no India-Pakistan match in a tournament, then it would be like a tasteless dish.

“ICC Under Stress”

“PCB has played its cards very well, well done! If you want to go ahead with the hybrid model, do it. But India and Pakistan won’t be in the same pool, and Pakistan will play all their matches at home, If you have the courage, do it. ICC is under stress,” said Basit.

“BCCI sends a message to the ICC, and it is relayed to the PCB. Then the PCB sends a message to the ICC, and it is forwarded to the BCCI. Then the broadcaster jumped in and asked ‘what’s happening, this is not agreeable to us’. That’s why ICC is not comfortable.”

No Clarity On The Future Of The Competition

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remain to be at loggerheads with their stance respectively, there is still no amicable solution in the horizon. The current impasse threatens to disrupt the stability and future of the tournament.

Shoaib Akhtar’s Stark Warning To PCB And ICC

Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has cautioned both the PCB and the International Cricket Council (ICC) against the losses they might incur financially if the issue does not materialize. He highlighted that Champions Trophy will definitely be losing a whopping $100 million or approximately Rs 844 crore without India’s participation in the tournament.