Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has departed for Dubai to attend a key International Cricket Council (ICC) Board of Directors meeting on Monday, where discussions about the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, set to be hosted by Pakistan, are expected to take center stage.
Pakistan is slated to host the Champions Trophy from February to March 2025, marking the first time the country will host an ICC event on its home soil since co-hosting the 50-over World Cup in 1996. However, the event has sparked significant debate due to uncertainty over India’s participation.
India has not played a match in Pakistan since 2008, citing security concerns. Last year, India refused to tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, prompting a “hybrid” tournament where India’s matches were held in Sri Lanka. However, Pakistan fully participated in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. The issue of India’s involvement in the Champions Trophy will likely be a key topic during the Dubai meeting.
“The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has departed for Dubai to participate in the ICC Board of Directors meeting,” the PCB said in an official statement. The meeting, scheduled for today, is considered crucial in determining the direction of the Champions Trophy, including the participation of all qualifying teams.
Despite the concerns, the PCB remains firm in its stance that the entire tournament should be hosted in Pakistan, signaling the board’s confidence in the country’s ability to hold the high-profile event safely.
The ICC Champions Trophy, originally introduced as the ICC Knockout in 1998, was rebranded in 2002. Initially held every two years, the tournament shifted to a four-year cycle after the 2009 edition, featuring the top eight teams from the ICC one-day rankings. The upcoming tournament will see teams from Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa competing.
Pakistan last lifted the Champions Trophy in 2017 in England, where they triumphed over India by 180 runs in a stunning final. As the 2025 edition approaches, all eyes will be on the diplomatic and logistical developments surrounding the event.
