In a significant development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved the budget for the Champions Trophy 2025, which Pakistan will host. The tournament is scheduled for February-March next year.
While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has outlined a tentative schedule for the event, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is still awaiting approval from the Indian government to send its men’s team to Pakistan.
Amid ongoing tensions between the BCCI and PCB, the ICC confirmed the Champions Trophy 2025 budget on the final day of its annual conference in Colombo. The PCB has allocated Rs 12.80 billion for the renovation of venues in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. ICC Chief Finance Officer Ankur Khanna and PCB Chief Finance Officer Javed Murtaza prepared the budget. Mohsin Naqvi represented Pakistan during the meeting, but discussions on the hybrid model for the tournament were minimal.
The BCCI has proposed a hybrid model; however, the PCB insists on hosting the tournament entirely in Pakistan. Additionally, PCB officials aim to persuade BCCI Secretary Jay Shah to arrange a bilateral T20I series between India and Pakistan after the Champions Trophy. If the BCCI agrees, England or Australia might host the series, as both countries have expressed interest in facilitating matches between the arch-rivals.
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