ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to convene a critical Board meeting within the next week, most likely on November 26, to address the Champions Trophy format amid the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) refusal to travel to Pakistan for the mega event.
The board meeting is likely to be convened virtually. Indian media reports suggest that the meeting will follow the conclusion of BCCI officials’ commitments in Saudi Arabia. According to The News, the ICC has recently renewed its dialogue with the BCCI to negotiate a viable resolution to the impasse, which has caused an unprecedented delay in the Champions Trophy’s official schedule announcement.
Reliable sources indicate that the ICC and BCCI are leaning towards finalizing the tournament’s schedule, match dates, and groupings during the proposed November 26 meeting. However, the BCCI has reiterated its stance that the Indian government has denied permission for the team to travel to Pakistan. This comes despite no objections being raised during the ICC Board meeting in Dubai on October 20, where the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had presented a tentative schedule. The BCCI communicated the government’s refusal nearly two weeks after the Dubai meeting.
When contacted, a PCB official expressed surprise at the reports of an impending ICC Board meeting, stating, “So far, we have not been communicated on any such meeting.” The ICC Board comprises 16 members, including 12 permanent representatives from ICC member countries, three independent members, and the ICC Chief Executive.
The stalemate over India’s participation in the Champions Trophy, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan, remains a contentious issue. While all ICC member nations, including India, had initially supported Pakistan’s hosting rights, the matter may now hinge on discussions during the upcoming meeting. Speculation surrounds whether India will push for a hybrid model and whether the PCB, as the official host, would allow any voting on such a proposal. As the cricketing world waits for clarity, the November 26 meeting could prove decisive in shaping the future of the Champions Trophy.
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