ICC Cancels Champions Trophy Event Due To Scheduling Fiasco

The ICC has chosen to cancel a major event related to next year’s Champions Trophy, that was supposed to be announced on November 11 in Lahore, owing to the hiccups they have encountered in scheduling, especially India games.

As per Cricbuzz, it is believed that the ICC has initially planned to announce and host an event, marking the 100-day countdown to the Champions Trophy. But, due to complications in scheduling, the cricketing body has chosen to postpone the same.

“The schedule is not confirmed, we are still in discussions with the host and participating nations on the Champions Trophy schedule. Once confirmed we will announce through our normal channels," an involved official had stated to Cricbuzz.

“It was only a trophy tour flag-off and tournament/branding launch," said an official downplaying the controversy surrounding the schedule and the non-starting event on November 11. “That (the event) is still in the works — though it may be rescheduled because Lahore outdoor activities are difficult right now."

Ever since the ICC awarded the 2025 Champions Trophy to Pakistan, there have been concerns over India’s participation in the marquee event given the diplomatic tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

The BCCI has reportedly informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the Indian government’s denial of permission to travel to Pakistan for the event.

The BCCI intimating to the ICC about its inability to travel to Pakistan would leave the PCB with no option but to organise the Champions Trophy in the ‘Hybrid Model’. However, board chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in a press conference that his board had not received any official communication from the BCCI.

“We have a clear stance that they must give it to us in writing if they (the Indian cricket board) have any issues. Till today, we have not spoken about any hybrid model, but we’re ready to speak on this," Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, told reporters in Lahore recently.