Champions Trophy: ICC shared master security plan with BCCI last month

ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) had shared a robust master security plan for the Champions Trophy 2025 with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in early October and after ‘no adverse comments’ were received from Mumbai, it was presented to the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee and ICC Board in Dubai on October 21, investigations reveal.

According to details available with The News, the ICC had arranged an international security managers’ online forum for security managers of the participating countries on Sept 10. The final version of the master safety and security plan, alongside copies of the ICC’s independent risk assessment and a PCB presentation from the September forum, were circulated on October 11.

According to meeting minutes, the schedule—approved by ICC broadcasters—was shared with all participating teams, and no objections were recorded.

“A match schedule has been developed in conjunction with the PCB. The 15 matches are to be hosted across three venues in Pakistan: Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi,” the minutes stated.

“The match schedule has been approved by ICC’s main broadcast partner, Star, and each participating team has received a copy of their schedule for the event. No Member has raised any concerns with the schedule as circulated.”

In the absence of any adverse comments from the eight participating countries, an update on the master security plan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was included in the ICC meeting papers and presented at the October-21 ICC Board meeting in Dubai. The meeting was attended by BCCI secretary and ICC Chairman-elect Jay Shah.

A source in Islamabad with knowledge of the matter suggested that India’s verbal communication to the ICC about its inability to travel to Pakistan might indicate “mala fide intentions” aimed at disrupting preparations for the Champions Trophy.

“There was no discussion of such concerns during the ICC Board meeting, which is the appropriate forum to address such matters. Yet, just as Pakistan was set to host an event marking 100 days to the tournament, the BCCI verbally informed the ICC of its position,” the source said.

The PCB is now awaiting a response from the ICC to a questionnaire sent two days ago following India’s verbal communication.

“The delay in ICC’s reply suggests there is no written communication from the BCCI. If such a document existed, it would have been shared with the PCB by now. It has been two days since PCB wrote to the ICC,” the source added.

“Pakistan was announced as the host of the Champions Trophy long ago, with the host agreement signed in December 2023. Why didn’t the BCCI consult its government about traveling to Pakistan when the event was announced? Why wait until the last minute?”

With fewer than 100 days to go before the tournament, the uncertainty surrounding the schedule has frustrated cricket fans globally and impacted stakeholders with commercial interests tied to the event.

“A lot of branding and brand activation activities are currently on hold due to this uncertainty,” another source said.

Source further disclosed that a high-profile event was scheduled for November 11 to unveil the match schedule, event identity, and trophy tour. However, the trophy tour will now begin in Pakistan on November 16.

“The ICC Champions Trophy’s trophy has already arrived in Pakistan and will kick off its tour on November 16. The trophy will be taken to the K2 base camp before visiting other venues across Pakistan,” the source confirmed.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour kicks off in Islamabad on Nov 16, also visiting scenic travel destinations like Skardu, Murree, Hunza and Muzaffarabad. “Catch a glimpse of the trophy which Sarfaraz Ahmed lifted in 2017 at The Oval, from Nov 16 to 24.

Earlier, the ICC had launched the tournament’s new brand identity through its digital channels, showcasing a redesigned typographic logo for the Champions Trophy.

During the October board meeting, the PCB provided updates on progress at the three venues. The ICC also approved PCB’s plan to host an international test event at all three venues in 0January ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Although the draft schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been shared with board members and broadcasters, it has yet to be officially announced. The PCB declined to comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, the ICC’s host broadcaster, Disney Star, which is seeking $940 million in damages from Zee Entertainment following Zee’s exit from a $1.4 million agreement, had approved the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 event schedule in early October.