Amid the uncertainty over the Indian team travelling to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has kept a ‘supplementary budget’ in funds.
The development was reported by the news agency PTI after the conclusion of ICC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Colombo, Sri Lanka from July 19-22.
“The ICC has kept supplementary expenses in its tournament budget to meet any situation where the Indian team has to play its matches outside Pakistan,” reported PTI amid the news that the ICC has approved the budget for the tournament.
The news agency also reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has left the responsibility to convince the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to travel for the tournament up to the ICC.
“The PCB now has done what was required of it as hosts of the Champions Trophy. It has submitted the draft schedule and format for the event and also submitted budget for the event,” reported PTI citing a PCB source.
“It is now up to the ICC how soon they circulate, discuss and finalize the schedule of the Champions Trophy. The PCB for its part in the draft schedule has suggested hosting all of India’s games in Lahore including a semi-final (if India qualifies) and final,” the source added.
Both India and Pakistan face each other in the ICC and Asian tournaments only and do not play in bilateral series due to political tensions between them.
A top BCCI official reacted to the discussion on India’s participation in the Champions Trophy during the ICC AGM and as per News 18 said, “It isn’t a bilateral where two boards will hold discussions. No dialogue happened between us and PCB on the Champions Trophy. Since it wasn’t on any of the agendas, it wasn’t discussed during the AGM too. It is still time away and ICC will handle it.”
Last year, India decided not to travel to Pakistan for the regional Asia Cup. The tournament was eventually played in a hybrid model with India playing all their matches in Sri Lanka.
(With inputs from agencies)