The future of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is now in limbo after tensions between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reached boiling point. The hosting arrangements are in jeopardy after India’s firm stance that it will not travel to Pakistan due to long-standing security concerns.

India has officially informed the ICC that it will not send its team to Pakistan due to diplomatic issues that have strained India-Pakistan relations for over a decade. The PCB rejected any proposal for a hybrid model, where India would play its matches at a neutral venue, while the rest of the tournament takes place in Pakistan. The PCB also asked the ICC to clarify India’s refusal to participate and said it was committed to hosting all matches at home.

With scheduling conflicts with domestic leagues, South Africa were excluded from discussions about neutral venues such as Sri Lanka and Dubai. According to reports, if Pakistan sticks to its hardline stance and refuses to host, then India could step in as a possible host of the tournament, reports suggest. Not only would it change the venue, but it could also have huge financial consequences for the PCB, which would lose around $65 million in hosting fees.

As these developments have taken place, some cricket analysts have criticized the ICC for being less proactive in addressing these issues. Vocal about not compromising on hosting rights, the PCB chairman added to the complications of the negotiations. The clock is ticking for all parties involved, with less than four months to go before the tournament kicks off on February 19, 2025.