Champions Trophy 2025 schedule to be announced on THIS date, Pakistan has one BIG condition for India and ICC

The Champions Trophy 2025 schedule will only be announced if ICC and India accept the major condition put forward by Pakistan Cricket Board.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place in Pakistan in less than 75 days but there is still no clarity over schedule or where India matches will be held for that matter. The International Cricket Council (ICC) held a series of meetings in Dubai last week and a general consensus was reached over the ‘hybrid’ model where India’s matches and one semifinal and final will be held in Dubai while the rest of the tournament will be organised in Pakistan.

However, the actual schedule has not been officially announced by the ICC as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) need to get the plan approved by their Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Now, it has emerged that the much-delayed Champions Trophy 2025 schedule may finally be announced on Wednesday, according to IANS news agency.

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But before the tournament schedule can be officially announced, Pakistan have put forward a major condition in front of ICC and India. The PCB, which holds the hosting rights for the tournament, have demanded written assurance from the world body that any future ICC events in India and hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will have to follow similar ‘hybrid’ model with Pakistan cricket team refusing to tour India.

If the above condition is acceptable to the ICC and BCCI, the PCB have agreed to accept the ‘hybrid’ model for the Champions Trophy 2025 with India playing their matches in Dubai while the rest of the tournament will be staged in Pakistan. India will also play the semifinal and final matches in Dubai, subject to qualification.

“Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants a written assurance from the World body (ICC) regarding a hybrid model for the future international events to be hosted by India. Decision on Champions Trophy most likely by Wednesday,” sources told IANS news agency.

Meanwhile, the Emirates Cricket Board is keeping a close watch on ICC’s decision on the Champions Trophy 2025. Dubai is all but confirmed to host India’s matches, with the India vs Pakistan match set to take place on March 1.

Ahead of reaching any consensus on the matter, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday as the former had repeatedly mentioned that the body would consult with the government before agreeing to any settlement.

The Champions Trophy 2025 is slated to be played from February 19 to March 9. But it has run into uncertainty after BCCI said it did not have the Indian government’s consent to travel and play their matches in Pakistan. The tournament will feature 8 teams, with four teams divided into two groups. The top two teams from both groups will play in the semifinals which will be followed by the title clash.

Last year, Pakistan hosted the men’s 50-over Asia Cup 2023 in a ‘hybrid’ model after India refused to travel to the country. India played all their matches of the tournament in Colombo including the semifinal and final, which they won.