The virtual meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to resolve the standoff over next year’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 concluded swiftly on Friday (November 29), with no solution coming out. The disagreement between India and Pakistan remains firm over the tournament.
Now, former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif revealed that discussions are ongoing between the ICC, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the situation and could involve further consultations with foreign ministries of both countries.
BCCI and PCB need more time to discuss with foreign ministries for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rashid Latif
Taking to his social media handle X (formerly known as Twitter) on Saturday, November 30, Rashid Latif confirmed that there is no ICC emergency board meeting today, as both the BCCI and PCB need more time to discuss with foreign ministries regarding the Champions Trophy 2025 move.
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Rashid Latif posted on X: “As per information, there is no ICC emergency board meeting today. It will be tomorrow or the day after…. BCCI and PCB need more time to discuss with foreign ministries.”
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As per information there is no ICC emergency Board meeting today, It will be tomorrow or the day after.. BCCI and PCB need more time to discuss with foreign ministries. @ICC @TheRealPCBMedia @BCCI pic.twitter.com/W8Fr9CnPzj— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) November 30, 2024
After the meeting, the speculation was that the ICC Board meeting has been postponed to Saturday with the PCB being urged to accept the hybrid model. If they refuse, Pakistan could be excluded from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, according to media reports.
PCB rejects hybrid model at the ICC Board meeting
The meeting held on Friday was brief, following a clear statement from the PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi, who reiterated that the ‘hybrid’ model would not be accepted. On the other hand, BCCI is firm on its stance on not traveling to Pakistan due to a lack of government approval.
Mohsin Naqvi, who has been in Dubai since Thursday to push for Pakistan’s position, reportedly attended the meeting in person, while BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is set to take over as ICC chairman from December 1, joined online.
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A senior administrator of an ICC full member nation who attended the meeting was quoted as saying by PTI: “The board did meet briefly today. All parties continue to work towards a positive resolution for the Champions Trophy 2025, and it is expected that the Board will reconvene on Saturday and continue to meet over the next few days.”
ICC wants Pakistan to accept the hybrid model for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
According to PTI, the Pakistan Cricket Board has been instructed by the ICC to accept the hybrid model for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, or the tournament may proceed without Pakistan. A source within the ICC revealed that no broadcaster is willing to cover the event without India’s participation.
The next meeting will only take place if the PCB agrees to the hybrid model for the eight-nation tournament. However, it is being said that no date was set for the next session when the meeting was adjourned on November 29. The next meeting could take longer than anticipated, possibly extending into the next week to find a solution for the India-Pakistan issue.
