Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take decisive action amidst the ongoing scheduling dispute over the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The tournament, scheduled to be hosted in Pakistan next February, has come under scrutiny after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to send its team to Pakistan, citing longstanding political tensions between the two countries. Afridi criticized BCCI for mixing politics with sports and expressed support for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in rejecting the hybrid model proposed for the event.
Afridi Criticizes BCCI for Political Interference in Sports
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Afridi accused BCCI of jeopardizing international cricket by “intertwining politics with sports.” He emphasized that Pakistan had previously toured India five times since the tragic 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008, including a bilateral series in 2012-13, despite security concerns. Afridi called for fairness and urged the ICC to demonstrate its authority.
“By intertwining politics with sports, the BCCI has placed international cricket in a precarious position. Fully support the PCB’s stance against the hybrid model—especially since Pakistan (despite security concerns) has toured India five times, including a bilateral white-ball series, post-26/11. It’s time for the ICC and its Board of Directors to uphold fairness and assert their authority,” Afridi wrote.
PCB Rejects Hybrid Model for Champions Trophy
Reports indicate that the ICC plans to discuss the hybrid model during a virtual board meeting on Friday. This format was previously used during the 2023 Asia Cup, where most matches, including the knockout stages, were played in Sri Lanka despite Pakistan being the official host. However, PCB has firmly opposed the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy.
A PCB official confirmed to PTI that the board communicated its concerns to the ICC. “The PCB has conveyed to the ICC that a hybrid model is not acceptable to them. They had considered the possibility on the condition that similar arrangements would apply to all ICC events in India until 2031, given Pakistan’s reluctance to play in India,” the source revealed.
Security Concerns and Scheduling Challenges
The debate over the Champions Trophy’s venue has been further complicated by recent security concerns in Islamabad, which prompted Sri Lanka Cricket to cancel their A team’s tour to Pakistan. The ICC now faces a critical decision regarding the tournament’s hosting arrangements, with the PCB insisting on fair treatment.
ICC’s Next Steps
The ICC’s board meeting on Friday will likely address the feasibility of the hybrid model and potential alternatives to ensure the tournament’s success. Afridi’s comments underline growing frustration over the political implications affecting cricketing ties between India and Pakistan, as stakeholders await the ICC’s resolution on the matter.
By rejecting the hybrid model, PCB has taken a firm stance on preserving its hosting rights, challenging the ICC to mediate effectively and uphold the integrity of international cricket.
