Schedule conflict? ICC cancels 2025 Champions Trophy key event after India refuses to visit Pakistan

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has postponed a key event related to the 2025 Champions Trophy schedule announcement, which was originally set to take place on Monday, November 11, in Lahore.

According to media reports, this announcement comes as the ICC faces scheduling challenges, particularly concerning India's fixtures, amid ongoing uncertainties surrounding India's participation in Pakistan.

An ICC official commented, "The schedule is not confirmed, we are still in discussions with the host and participating nations on the Champions Trophy schedule. Once confirmed we will announce through our normal channels," said an official in the know of the developments following India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the eight-team 50-over competition. Repeated inquiries to the ICC about the cancellation went unanswered.

The Monday event was intended to initiate the 100-day countdown to the championship with a trophy tour and branding launch, yet issues with air quality in Lahore are also being considered as factors contributing to the cancellation. "

"It was only a trophy tour flag off and tournament/branding launch," said an official downplaying the controversy surrounding the schedule and the non-starting event on November 11. "That (the event) is still in the works -- though may be rescheduled because of Lahore outdoor activities are difficult right now." A source in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said no event has been scheduled for Monday.

To address the impasse, it appears likely that the ICC and PCB will employ a hybrid hosting model, with a provision allowing some matches to be relocated outside of Pakistan. The UAE has emerged as the potential alternative venue, with Dubai or Abu Dhabi anticipated to host India's games. This arrangement was initially reported by Cricbuzz in August, with an ICC-approved contingency budget set aside for partial relocation if needed.

As the ICC works to finalize the schedule, the BCCI recently confirmed that it has not received governmental clearance to travel to Pakistan, adding to the uncertainty. However, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi maintains that no official request for a hybrid model has reached the PCB.

"We have a clear stance that they must give it to us in writing if they [the Indian cricket board] have any issues. Till today, we have not spoken about any hybrid model, but we're ready to speak on this," Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, told reporters in Lahore recently. "Now, if Indian media is reporting this, then there must be some letter the ICC will give us, or the Indian Board might have written this somewhere. Till now, no such letter has reached me or the PCB," he said.

India’s group-stage games, originally scheduled in Lahore against Bangladesh on February 20, New Zealand on February 23, and Pakistan on March 1, now face possible relocation. With Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore as the primary host cities, modifications to the venue plan may be necessary to maintain the schedule for the tournament's 15 matches.