Pakistan to get a 440-volt shock? ICC drops massive hint on India's plan for Champions Trophy

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is bracing for all eventualities as speculation grows over India's participation in the Champions Trophy 2025 slated to be held in Pakistan next year. Although an official statement is yet to be made, the ICC appears to be preparing for scenarios where the Indian team may decline to travel to Pakistan.

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More bad news awaits Pakistan? 

According to Cricbuzz, the ICC has recently approved a budget of approximately $65 million at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Colombo. This budget allocation includes provisions for staging some of the tournament matches outside Pakistan, indicating contingency plans are in motion.

The Chief Executives Committee (CEC) approval note highlights that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already signed the Host Agreement and collaborated with ICC management to draft the event budget, which has been submitted to the Finance & Commercial Affairs (F&CA) committee for approval. 

"Management has also approved an estimate of the increase in the cost of staging the event if it is necessary to play some matches outside Pakistan," the note mentions. However, the ICC has not disclosed potential alternative venues.

This development coincides with reports suggesting that BCCI Secretary Jay Shah is likely to become the new chairman of the ICC in November this year. If Jay Shah assumes the top position at the ICC, it increases the likelihood that the Champions Trophy could be conducted in a hybrid model. Under this model, Pakistan might be compelled to host India’s matches at a neutral venue, mitigating security concerns and diplomatic tensions.

The prospect of India playing its matches outside Pakistan will undoubtedly send shockwaves through the cricketing world, especially in Pakistan, where hosting the entire tournament has been a point of national pride. India has not been playing Pakistan in bilateral series since 2012. The last time India travelled to Pakistan for cricket was way back in 2006.

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Last year, India refused to visit Pakistan for the 50-over Asia Cup citing a lack of government approvals. India played all its matches in Sri Lanka, including the semifinal and final. However, a few months later, Pakistan arrived in India to take part in the 2023 Cricket World Cup without any issues. 

The PCB desperately wants India to visit Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and it has been lobbying the ICC for the same. It will be interesting to see how things fold out in the future.