An undated image of the ICC Champions Trophy. — AFPPCB planning to carry int’l testing occasion in January 2025.Taking part groups raised “no objection” to safety plan.Closing schedule of Champions Trophy but to be introduced.
Minutes from the board assembly point out that the schedule, additionally accredited by ICC broadcasters, was shared with all collaborating groups, and no objections had been raised, extremely positioned sources confirmed.
“A match schedule has been developed in conjunction with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The 15 matches are to be hosted across three venues in Pakistan: Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi.
“The match schedule has been accredited by ICC’s major broadcast accomplice, Star, and every collaborating staff has obtained a replica of their schedule for the occasion. No member has raised any issues with the schedule as circulated,” it stated.
A source in Islamabad with knowledge of the matter suggested that recent developments, including India’s verbal communication to the cricket’s regulatory body about its inability to travel to Pakistan, may point to “mala fide intentions” geared toward creating disruption forward of the Champions Trophy.
Pakistani and Indian gamers shake arms after the ICC males’s Twenty20 World Cup 2022 cricket match at Melbourne Cricket Floor in Melbourne on October 23, 2022. — AFP
“There was no discussion of such concerns during the ICC Board meeting, the appropriate forum to address such matters. Yet, just as Pakistan was set to host an event marking 100 days to the tournament, the BCCI informed the ICC of its position verbally,” the supply stated.
The supply additional confirmed {that a} high-profile occasion was deliberate for November 11 to unveil the match schedule, occasion id, and trophy tour.
Through the October board assembly, the PCB had additionally supplied updates on the progress of growth work on the three venues.
The supply added that the ICC had additionally green-signalled the PCB to host a global testing occasion in any respect three venues earlier than the Champions Trophy which the PCB was planning to carry in January.
Earlier than the October assembly, the PCB and ICC had collectively briefed safety managers from all collaborating groups on the event’s grasp safety plan. No objections had been raised at any stage, the supply added.
The PCB, in the meantime, is awaiting a response from the ICC to a questionnaire despatched two days again following India’s verbal communication to the ICC about its incapability to journey to Pakistan.
“The delay in ICC’s reply suggests there is no written communication from the BCCI. If such a document existed, it would have been shared with the PCB by now. It has been two days since PCB wrote to the ICC,” the supply famous.
“Pakistan was announced as the host of the Champions Trophy long ago, and the host agreement was signed in December 2023. Why didn’t the BCCI consult its government about travelling to Pakistan when the event was announced? Why wait until the last minute?” the supply questioned.
With lower than 100 days to go earlier than the ICC Champions Trophy, the uncertainty surrounding the schedule shouldn’t be solely irritating cricket followers globally but in addition affecting stakeholders with business pursuits tied to the event.
“A lot of branding and brand activation activities are currently on hold due to this uncertainty,” one other supply stated.
The ultimate schedule, although already shared with collaborating groups and broadcasters, for the Champions Trophy 2025 is but to be introduced, formally.
