CT25

The scheduling challenges posed by the Champions Trophy ’25 are set to impact T20 leagues

The upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, slated to take place in February and March in Pakistan, is poised to attract attention for more than just its host country.

With Pakistan set as the venue, doubts linger regarding whether the eight-team tournament will proceed there, chiefly due to potential obstacles stemming from the Indian government’s perceived reluctance to grant permission for the Indian team’s participation.

However, such deliberations are reserved for a later time.

Currently, several cricket boards are contemplating how the event will impact the scheduling of their respective T20 leagues.

The tournament is scheduled to commence in the first week of February, causing disruptions to leagues held around the same period.

For instance, the ILT20, which began on January 19, is slated to conclude on February 17.

Similarly, South Africa’s SA20 and the Bangladesh Premier League face similar challenges, as their dates fall within the initial two months of the year.

This year, SA20 commenced on January 10 and will conclude precisely one month later, on February 10.

The Bangladesh Premier League is also affected, typically held between January and February, but this year extending into March (with the final scheduled for March 1).

Although SA20 did not provide a comment, an ILT20 official acknowledged the forthcoming challenges due to scheduling conflicts with the Champions Trophy.

“We will need to operate within a limited timeframe,” stated the official.

While the current season is ongoing, IL officials have yet to finalize next season’s dates, though it’s possible they may need to conclude the league in January.

Even the Pakistan Super League (PSL) won’t escape the disruptions.

If the month-long Champions Trophy occupies February entirely, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will have minimal time in March before encountering clashes with the Indian Premier League (IPL), a significantly larger and more popular tournament.

The PSL is scheduled to commence on February 17 this year, running until March 18.

The PCB offered limited response on this issue, with focus primarily on the ongoing ninth season of the PSL amidst the formation of a new committee.

Returning to the initial venue uncertainty, involved officials declined to comment on whether the tournament will definitively proceed in Pakistan or consider relocation.

While the PCB recently signed a host nation agreement with the International Cricket Council (ICC), the final decision remains pending.