The International Cricket Council (ICC) has cancelled a key event related to next year’s Champions Trophy due to ongoing scheduling issues, particularly concerning India’s participation.
The event, which was set to officially announce the tournament’s schedule on November 11 in Lahore, has been called off.
“The schedule is not yet confirmed; we are still in discussions with the host and participating nations regarding the Champions Trophy schedule.
Once confirmed, we will announce it through our regular channels,” an official familiar with the situation said, following India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the eight-team, 50-over competition.
Repeated inquiries to the ICC regarding the cancellation went unanswered.
The ICC had planned extensive arrangements for the event, which would have marked the 100-day countdown to the tournament, scheduled for February 19 to March 19.
However, scheduling complications have caused delays, with some suggesting that the toxic smog in Lahore could be used as a convenient excuse for the cancellation.
At least one official hinted at this possibility.
“It was just the trophy tour flag-off and the tournament/branding launch,” said an official, downplaying the controversy surrounding the scheduling and the cancelled event.
“That (the event) is still in the works, though it may be rescheduled due to the current outdoor conditions in Lahore.”
A source within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that no event has been scheduled for Monday.
It has now become clear that the ICC and PCB will likely need to implement a hybrid model—an arrangement that had always been anticipated.
A budget was allocated for this contingency plan, which would allow some matches to be hosted outside Pakistan, most likely in the UAE, as first reported by Cricpulse on August 3.
While India’s travel to Pakistan has long been uncertain, the ICC’s handling of the situation has come under scrutiny.
It has emerged that during a recent board meeting in Dubai, the ICC had informed members and stakeholders that the schedule would be announced on November 11.
Although the schedule was shared, it remains unclear whether the ICC consulted all parties involved.
Recent developments suggest otherwise.
Following the board meeting, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially informed the ICC that it had not received government clearance to travel to Pakistan.
The PCB maintains it has not received any formal communication from either the ICC or BCCI regarding this issue.
“We have made it clear that the Indian board must provide us with something in writing if they have any concerns,” said Mohsin Naqvi, PCB chairman, in Lahore.
“We have not discussed any hybrid model yet, but we are open to talks on this.
If the Indian media is reporting this, there must be a letter from the ICC or the Indian Board confirming it.
As of now, no such letter has reached me or the PCB,” he added.
It is now widely expected that the ICC and PCB will have to agree to a hybrid model, with UAE potentially serving as the second host country.
All of India’s matches are likely to be played in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
India’s original fixtures were set for Lahore, where they were scheduled to face Bangladesh on February 20, New Zealand on February 23, and Pakistan on March 1.
The PCB had earmarked Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore as tournament venues.
Changes to the venues, if not the dates, are now expected.
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