ICC to announce Champions Trophy schedule amidst ongoing BCCI-PCB feud: Report

The highly anticipated Champions Trophy 2025, featuring eight of the top cricketing nations, is just around the corner. However, there is growing uncertainty surrounding the tournament as the venues and schedule are yet to be finalized. The ICC had originally planned for the event to take place in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi in Pakistan, but recent developments have put the fate of the competition in doubt. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the ICC that the Indian team will not be able to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, citing security concerns. This decision has thrown a wrench into the plans for the Champions Trophy, leaving organizers scrambling to find a solution. With less than three months to go until the start of the tournament, cricket fans around the world are eagerly awaiting news on whether the Champions Trophy will go ahead as planned or if alternative arrangements will be made. Stay tuned for updates on this developing situation.

However, as per a report in India Today, the back channel talks are underway and ICC is doing its best to convince PCB to accept the hybrid model, which will see India play their matches at a neutral venue.

The same report also states that the schedule for the Champions Trophy is expected to be announced by the end of this week. "We are still in discussions with the host and participating members on the Champions Trophy schedule. It should be out soon, likely in a couple of days or so," India Today quoted a source as saying.

It needs to be mentioned that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday evening stated that the entire tournament will be played in Pakistan, as he declined the notion of a 'hybrid model'.

The back-and-forth is continuing between BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Recently, the Pakistan cricket board also wrote to ICC, asking the reasons behind India's refusal to tour Pakistan for Champions Trophy.

On Monday evening, PCB chairman Naqvi spoke to reporters in Pakistan, and it was there that he was asked a plethora of questions regarding Champions and India's refusal to visit the country.

Answering the reporters, Naqvi said, "We will achieve the target and we will get the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. All the teams (other teams except India), which have qualified for Champions Trophy are ready to come to Pakistan and no one has any problem. I will say even today that if India has any concern, they should talk with us."

"We will clear any of their concerns. I believe there is no reason for which the Indian team cannot come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. You wait and all teams will come,” he added.

As of now, the Champions Trophy is slated to be played from February 19-March 9 in Pakistan.

As per reports in Pakistan media, PCB can withdraw itself from the Champions Trophy if the tournament goes ahead in a hybrid model or is moved out of the country.

“Our stance is very clear. We have told it earlier. We will remain in our stance. ICC has to announce the tournament schedule. We are waiting for the schedule to be announced so that we can start preparations according to that. As soon as the schedule is announced, the sooner we will start our preparations," said Naqvi.

Last week, the ICC had also confirmed the Champions Trophy tour, which officially began on November 13. As per reports, the BCCI had earlier filed an objection with ICC over PCB's decision to include Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) regions in the tour itinerary.

“I believe ICC has to think about its credibility. That it is the body of all the cricket boards in the world. And secondly, the Trophy tour has been rescheduled. Till now, we have not got any information regarding the cancellation