What are the top strategies PCB can consider for hosting Champions Trophy 2025 after India’s refusal to visit Pakistan?

[Cricket Warrior]

With the Champions Trophy 2025 set to take place in Pakistan, the recent announcement that India will not tour Pakistan poses a significant challenge for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Here are the top strategic options for the PCB to consider in ensuring a successful tournament:

One option is to host the entire tournament in a neutral location, such as the UAE, Sri Lanka, or even England. This would ensure all teams, including India, participate without compromising diplomatic considerations. However, this may reduce the home advantage for Pakistan and could impact local fan engagement.

PCB could consider hosting part of the tournament in Pakistan while shifting India-specific matches to a neutral venue. This would allow Pakistan to retain a degree of its hosting rights and fulfill fans' expectations while accommodating India’s concerns.

Requesting intervention from the International Cricket Council (ICC) could provide PCB with additional support. If the ICC reaffirms Pakistan's hosting rights, it might encourage negotiations or solutions that could lead to India’s participation. However, ICC’s power in enforcing participation remains limited.

Under a hybrid model, PCB could propose allowing India to play their games at a neutral venue while the rest of the tournament proceeds in Pakistan. This format has been used successfully in past multi-nation events and may be a viable compromise.

As a last resort, PCB could work with ICC to reschedule or postpone the Champions Trophy until a solution is found. This option would be a challenge logistically and financially but might provide time for diplomatic efforts to resolve the impasse.

 

[mominsaigol]

Most logical solution: Replace India with Sri Lanka.

Next logical solution: Put India and Pakistan into different groups and play semi + Final in a neutral venue.

Easiest solution; Host in a another country.

Likely solution: Hybrid model where teams will he jet lagged to appease their Indian overlords.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

We are in an absurd situation where essentially Jay Shah ( BCCI) wrote a letter to himself but to his ICC email address which he then sent to the ICC.

Pakistani has many cards in their hands not just for this tournament but for future tournaments.

What they mustn't do is get overly emotional and jazbati.

We can extract a lot of concessions from ICC and then see what happens in future tournaments.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Most logical solution: Replace India with Sri Lanka.

Next logical solution: Put India and Pakistan into different groups and play semi + Final in a neutral venue.

Easiest solution; Host in a another country.

Likely solution: Hybrid model where teams will he jet lagged to appease their Indian overlords.

India is pushing for UAE and South Africa because there is a large Indian mafia/bookie etc presence there.

But it won't be a good for viewers.

If they can play in Bangladesh via a hybrid venue it would be ideal. Stadiums will be jam packed and it's a nation playing in the tournament so will have a home buzz too.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Organize it with or without India. Give Sri Lanka the chance if India forfeits or doesn't come.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Organize it with or without India. Give Sri Lanka the chance if India forfeits or doesn't come.

Tournament won't be a success without India or Pakistan.

But PCB will realise that tournament without Pakistan will be more successful than tournament without India. That's the reality.

We can't burn our bridges with other boards on the behest of these Indian right wingers. That's just playing into their hand.

 

[rpant_gabba]

We are in an absurd situation where essentially Jay Shah ( BCCI) wrote a letter to himself but to his ICC email address which he then sent to the ICC.

Pakistani has many cards in their hands not just for this tournament but for future tournaments.

What they mustn't do is get overly emotional and jazbati.

We can extract a lot of concessions from ICC and then see what happens in future tournaments.

Sure. ICC headed by Jay Shah will be really in a mood to to concede stuff to PCB.

Even @Savak has learned his lesson in this regard.

 

[Technics 1210]

Just say no.

It will be a bigger humiliation upon India than failing to win the WC23 at home.

The only reason why anyone cares what BCCI has to say is money, take that leverage away and BCCI are helpless.

Such bitter, and sweet, irony.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Sure. ICC headed by Jay Shah will be really in a mood to to concede stuff to PCB.

Even @Savak has learned his lesson in this regard.

There is always room for negotiations. Even if an organisation is headed temporarily by a religious extremist like Shah. There are other parties and players.

 

[rpant_gabba]

There is always room for negotiations. Even if an organisation is headed temporarily by a religious extremist like Shah. There are other parties and players.

Negotiations need leverage.

What is Pak's leverage? There is a segment in India which wants this to go its logical end point. which is to find out where Pak stands in world cricket when chips are down. No play this vague games.

Yes, BCCI revenue will be impacted and so will rest of the board.

BCCI will be willing to put up the impact if it doesn't have to deal with PCB nonsense ever again.

Rest of the boards: Who are they going to pick PCB or BCCI?

Goal of the BCCI should to make it as binary as possible

 

[The Bald Eagle]

I think the South Africa option is just pure rumours to convince PCB on a hybrid model or present it as a victory which still is a poor option as recently England has visited Pakistan so no security gaffe needs to be entertained at all.

 

[shah9425]

We should host all the tournament that's it

Anyone who doesn't want to come it's their choice they can be replaced by next ranked team

 

[Giroux28]

The best strategie going forward for any all future ICC / ACC events should be as follows

- Both India and Pakistan will always be placed in different groups.

- All groups and second stage matches will be held at neutral venues.

- If they qualify for the semifinals; the game will also be held at neutral venue

- If they qualify for the Final. You either play the match at the hosting venue or forfeit

This should be signed by all four bodies. ICC, BCCI, PCB and the broadcaster

 

[ChennaiFan]

I think PCB should host the whole tournament and leave the Indian team out.

 

[offstump]

PCB and BCCI should collaborate and build a joint stadium at the wagah border. Half located on the Pak side and the other half on the Indian side. Concrete walls can separate both sides so Indians don’t have to rub shoulders with the enemy.

 

[mazkhan]

I'd prefer a neutral venue

Because pakistans security cannot be simply trusted, presidential security for a tournament is a massive overkill fine for a bilateral but it's too much and enough evidence there's to many terrorists ready to pounce.

Currently military is a fighting an insurgency we have many ethnonationalist groups and then a mukhti bahini fasad In form of pti , the armed forces suffer daily casualties and even Chinese workers are caught up and there are security lapses

Is it worth the risk ,

 

[mazkhan]

I think PCB should host the whole tournament and leave the Indian team out.

Without india the tournament will be a monetary act of bankruptcy

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Replace India with Sri Lanka or Nepal etc and host tournament in Pakistan.
India hopefully can organise another mini IPL and attract big name foreign players to kill CT vibe.
The whole point from perspective of India is to kill off cricket and economy of Pakistan.

 

[Hitman]

The only reason why anyone cares what BCCI has to say is money, take that leverage away and BCCI are helpless.

Goodness! What a revelation!

And here we were thinking till now that world cricket listens to BCCI because of their love, care and affection towards Indian cricket.

What a genius!

 

[JaDed]

Most logical solution: Replace India with Sri Lanka.

Next logical solution: Put India and Pakistan into different groups and play semi + Final in a neutral venue.

Easiest solution; Host in a another country.

Likely solution: Hybrid model where teams will he jet lagged to appease their Indian overlords.

probably this.

 

[Slim]

Wheres the option to invite Sri Lanka? I reject all options in this poll.

 

[JaDed]

It would be good for everyone if Lanka can go instead of India.

This way Pakistan gets a chance to host and show the calibre and hopefully get more leverage in future.

 

[Slim]

Most logical solution: Replace India with Sri Lanka.

Next logical solution: Put India and Pakistan into different groups and play semi + Final in a neutral venue.

Easiest solution; Host in a another country.

Likely solution: Hybrid model where teams will he jet lagged to appease their Indian overlords.

Why should we give away the right to host our own semi final and final. No way in hell this should happen.

 

[U$ofA]

Just say no.

It will be a bigger humiliation upon India than failing to win the WC23 at home.

The only reason why anyone cares what BCCI has to say is money, take that leverage away and BCCI are helpless.

Such bitter, and sweet, irony.

Will they say no?

What is the track record of the ICC and PCB on saying no to BCCI $$$?

 

[Slim]

It would be good for everyone if Lanka can go instead of India.

This way Pakistan gets a chance to host and show the calibre and hopefully get more leverage in future.

Correct, and India can invite whosoever they want for their ICC tournaments in place of Pakistan.

 

[JaDed]

Without india the tournament will be a monetary act of bankruptcy

It’s time to test that scenario, tournaments are held in Carribbean too, I doubt ICC makes much money there

 

[JaDed]

Correct, and India can invite whosoever they want for their ICC tournaments in place of Pakistan.

One day at a time.

 

[Slim]

I'd prefer a neutral venue

Because pakistans security cannot be simply trusted, presidential security for a tournament is a massive overkill fine for a bilateral but it's too much and enough evidence there's to many terrorists ready to pounce.

Currently military is a fighting an insurgency we have many ethnonationalist groups and then a mukhti bahini fasad In form of pti , the armed forces suffer daily casualties and even Chinese workers are caught up and there are security lapses

Is it worth the risk ,

Imrani cultists rats showing their true colors.

 

[Slim]

One day at a time.

Huh? I dont want Pakistan to go to India for any tournament. We are not interested in playing India. I personally have no desire to even engage with Indians on any front.

 

[JaDed]

Huh? I dont want Pakistan to go to India for any tournament. We are not interested in playing India. I personally have no desire to even engage with Indians on any front.

And I want India to tour Pakistan, my opinion doesn’t mean anything same as yours in this scenario.

One day at a time in sense first Pakistan should explore this opportunity, how it goes and then next step.

 

[Hitman]

Will they say no?

What is the track record of the ICC and PCB on saying no to BCCI $$$?

Those who are saying no are the random fans who have no stake in the monetary side of the matters.

 

[JaDed]

Those who are saying no are the random fans who have no stake in the monetary side of the matters.

They will never be able to get permanent monetary benefit of future generations if PCB keep giving in.

The game is always about expanding the market and continuing to engage the next generation of the formative years of teenage, like for us 1990s-2000s

An entire generation of Pak has grown without home games..

 

[Slim]

And I want India to tour Pakistan, my opinion doesn’t mean anything same as yours in this scenario.

One day at a time in sense first Pakistan should explore this opportunity, how it goes and then next step.

Are we not all giving our opinions here or BCCI takes dictation from their fans on cricket forums?

I fully support complete boycott of India on all fronts. I am done with india. And if we cannot do it then i hope international cricket burns to the ground, and we get rid of this sport which is stereotyped as an indian sport anyway.

 

[Slim]

Those who are saying no are the random fans who have no stake in the monetary side of the matters.

What is wrong with some of you? Always talking and yapping about money. I have never seen fans of any other sport yap about how much money their board or teams makes or “monetary side” of matters. It gives me the ick whenever i see indians talk about cricket. They always yap about money.

 

[Hitman]

They will never be able to get permanent monetary benefit of future generations if PCB keep giving in.

The game is always about expanding the market and continuing to engage the next generation of the formative years of teenage, like for us 1990s-2000s

An entire generation of Pak has grown without home games..

For the future generation to enjoy fruits, PCB has to remain solvent till then. Withdrawing from the tournament means PCB gets zilch from the ICC for the tournament. Not to mention possible sanctions from the ICC.

 

[Hitman]

What is wrong with some of you? Always talking and yapping about money. I have never seen fans of any other sport yap about how much money their board or teams makes or “monetary side” of matters. It gives me the ick whenever i see indians talk about cricket. They always yap about money.

Where did I speak of BCCI's financial might? Or the PCB's financial conditions? All I said it is it's random fans who don't have to manage PCB's financies who want PCB to withdraw from the tournament.

Did I say anything wrong? Who will manage the financial hit PCB will take if they withdraw? Certainly not those fans.​

 

[JaDed]

For the future generation to enjoy fruits, PCB has to remain solvent till then. Withdrawing from the tournament means PCB gets zilch from the ICC for the tournament. Not to mention possible sanctions from the ICC.

Why would they withdraw from the tournament, they should just take a legal action on ICC for having different rules , Aus NZ have all had to give away points thanks to ICC.

Should be same or invite Lanka..
Again PCB will always remain a silly institution but how will they go about this will be their legacy.

 

[Hitman]

Why would they withdraw from the tournament, they should just take a legal action on ICC for having different rules , Aus NZ have all had to give away points thanks to ICC.

Should be same or invite Lanka..
Again PCB will always remain a silly institution but how will they go about this will be their legacy.

Agree it not fair. But neither is life.

 

[JaDed]

Agree it not fair. But neither is life.

True but if they give in this time , they would have set the worst pattern for themselves, I don’t see how they can face their fans if they pull out, it’s their first ICC tournament to host since 1996?

 

[U$ofA]

Those who are saying no are the random fans who have no stake in the monetary side of the matters.

Exactly.

Therefore, the focus should be on "will they say no", rather than "they should say no". Questions and focus should be on ICC/PCB rather than BCCI/Indian fans.

Easy to say they should say no, when you have no responsibility. As soon as the question becomes will they say no, it involves the people with stake. At which point reality kicks in.

 

[U$ofA]

True but if they give in this time , they would have set the worst pattern for themselves, I don’t see how they can face their fans if they pull out, it’s their first ICC tournament to host since 1996?

I seriously doubt the PCB's primary focus is their fans.

 

[Hitman]

True but if they give in this time , they would have set the worst pattern for themselves, I don’t see how they can face their fans if they pull out, it’s their first ICC tournament to host since 1996?

Fans have short memories, and their anger is temporary. It didn't take Indian fans more than 1 month to get over India's group stage exit in the 2007 WC. India toured Bangladesh next, and by then everything was forgiven.

 

[Bilal7]

There is no need to shoot yourself in the foot. A hybrid model is fine, as long as the final is held in Pakistan, if India don't make it to the final.

This will be the first tournament help in Pakistan since the terror attacks by alleged Indian agents. Let's focus all resources to ensuring that the tournament goes smoothly so the PCB has a leg to stand on.

God forbid that all this posturing leads to another attack and cricket is gone from Pakistan for good.

Plus, India hates playing in the UAE so it's only to Pakistan's advantage. The ghosts of 2021 haunt Rohit and company to this day.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I am not sure what the big deal is here. They can replace India with next ranked team and finish the tournament without India.

 

[rpant_gabba]

There is no need to shoot yourself in the foot. A hybrid model is fine, as long as the final is held in Pakistan, if India don't make it to the final.

This will be the first tournament help in Pakistan since the terror attacks by alleged Indian agents. Let's focus all resources to ensuring that the tournament goes smoothly so the PCB has a leg to stand on.

God forbid that all this posturing leads to another attack and cricket is gone from Pakistan for good.

Plus, India hates playing in the UAE so it's only to Pakistan's advantage. The ghosts of 2021 haunt Rohit and company to this day.

Becos it’s ODI, Pak might still be haunted by the maulings from 2018

 

[Bilal7]

I am not sure what the big deal is here. They can replace India with next ranked team and finish the tournament without India.

No one wants a world tournament without India. This isn't soccer, where you have tons of good teams with huge fan bases.

Take out India or any of the other Asian teams and you're losing a huge chunk of viewers and hype.

 

[Hitman]

Becos it’s ODI, Pak might still be haunted by the maulings from 2018

Some posters crawl out of their hole when -

1. Babar does well.

2. Pakistan does well.

3. India does bad.

The exact poster created a thread how Babar will conquer India before the ODI WC in 2023, disappeared throughout the tournament when Babar and Pakistan were shown their place, appeared again after India lost the final.

The same poster has now crawled out of his hole after a long time owing to Babar and Pakistan's performance since Pakistan has won their last Test and ODI series, while India got whitewashed at home in their last Test series.​

 

[FearlessRoar]

Refuse to play with india at any level is the best policy. We don't want any game with India at any level until India stop involving politics in our beloved sport

 

[rpant_gabba]

Are we not all giving our opinions here or BCCI takes dictation from their fans on cricket forums?

I fully support complete boycott of India on all fronts. I am done with india. And if we cannot do it then i hope international cricket burns to the ground, and we get rid of this sport which is stereotyped as an indian sport anyway.

I for one am rooting for PCB to go full kamikaze. Don’t think you of PCb will enjoy the outcome. Will be entertaining for us

 

[Hitman]

Refuse to play with india at any level is the best policy. We don't want any game with India at any level until India stop involving politics in our beloved sport

1990 Asia Cup - Pakistan boycotted it due to political tensions with India.

1993 Asia Cup - The entire tournament was cancelled because Pakistan again decided to boycott the tournament.

1993 Hero Cup - Pakistan pulled out from the tournament just 4 days before the first match.


Now since the shoe is on the other foot, India should not mix politics with sports? Or should we forget the past because what happened cannot be changed?​

 

[Vikram1989]

Refuse to play with india at any level is the best policy. We don't want any game with India at any level until India stop involving politics in our beloved sport

When it suits us we are fine to do otherwise we are hard core secularists and idealists

 

[msb314]

No one wants a world tournament without India. This isn't soccer, where you have tons of good teams with huge fan bases.

Take out India or any of the other Asian teams and you're losing a huge chunk of viewers and hype.

I do

 

[offstump]

1990 Asia Cup - Pakistan boycotted it due to political tensions with India.

1993 Asia Cup - The entire tournament was cancelled because Pakistan again decided to boycott the tournament.

1993 Hero Cup - Pakistan pulled out from the tournament just 4 days before the first match.


Now since the shoe is on the other foot, India should not mix politics with sports? Or should we forget the past because what happened cannot be changed?​

31 years ago? yeah, you probably should forget for the sake of your own mental health. Besides, didn’t India get their revenge already by not playing in Pakistan for the Asia cup?

 

[Hitman]

31 years ago? yeah, you probably should forget for the sake of your own mental health. Besides, didn’t India get their revenge already by not playing in Pakistan for the Asia cup?

Why? Because it was 31 years ago? When you punch someone on the face for no reason, you can't decide to allow that person to strike you back just once. He might as well put you in a hospital bed for a month, and you can't complaint. And if you don't want to meet that fate, don't punch someone on their face for no reason in the first place.
​

 

[U$ofA]

Refuse to play with india at any level is the best policy. We don't want any game with India at any level until India stop involving politics in our beloved sport

I understand you have stated your opinion. So have several others. But what I don't understand is, why no one is posing this question to PCB? Why isn't the PCB held to account for their decisions?

What is your guess on what the PCB will do?

 

[Bhaijaan]

Bend the knee and be done with it. Get the hybrid model approved from
BCCI. Keep your hosting status intact and walk away with good revenue.

This is the most practice option for PCB.

Any attempt at herogiri will only backfire. Theon Greyjoy thought he was a hero too. Maturity is acknowledging you’re more Reek than Theon.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Becos it’s ODI, Pak might still be haunted by the maulings from 2018

What about the ghosts of that mauling Pakistan gave to India in the FINAL OF THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY? Isn't that the reason why INDIA DOES NOT WANT TO COME TO PAKISTAN????


Topic is not that we are discussing here. possible strategy for PCB should be the main thing.

I think PCB will be left with no choice but to accept Hybrid model. I am not sure if PCB can boycott this event fully.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Stay on topic

 

[JaDed]

1990 Asia Cup - Pakistan boycotted it due to political tensions with India.

1993 Asia Cup - The entire tournament was cancelled because Pakistan again decided to boycott the tournament.

1993 Hero Cup - Pakistan pulled out from the tournament just 4 days before the first match.


Now since the shoe is on the other foot, India should not mix politics with sports? Or should we forget the past because what happened cannot be changed?​

In all fairness the younger posters don’t know that.

 

[JaDed]

What about the ghosts of that mauling Pakistan gave to India in the FINAL OF THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY? Isn't that the reason why INDIA DOES NOT WANT TO COME TO PAKISTAN????


Topic is not that we are discussing here. possible strategy for PCB should be the main thing.

I think PCB will be left with no choice but to accept Hybrid model. I am not sure if PCB can boycott this event fully.

He responded to the poster than mentioned 2021 wc T20how was that relevant here?

 

[BouncerGuy]

He responded to the poster than mentioned 2021 wc T20how was that relevant here?

Everything becomes irrelevant if we keep on responding to other posts. The topic was to discuss the strategy and we should stick to that.

 

[Bilal7]

I do

Why? Is this you speaking as a cricket fan or you wanting your country to score political points?

No actual cricket fan would want players from any team to not partake. Except for severe issues like South Africa and apartheid.

 

[RexRex]

Hybrid tournaments are a logistical nightmare.

South African cricket Board has been given feelers about hosting the event.

 

[cricketjoshila]

31 years ago? yeah, you probably should forget for the sake of your own mental health. Besides, didn’t India get their revenge already by not playing in Pakistan for the Asia cup?

Forget? Because Pakistan was at fault?

Pakistan would do this even now.But they don't have the ability. And since 15 years they are persona non grata in Indian cricket.

PCB got an iota of leverage when pakistanis played the IPL. They tried to arm twist BCCI with it. Tried to sabotage the IPL.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Hybrid tournaments are a logistical nightmare.

South African cricket Board has been given feelers about hosting the event.

If PCB had intelligence they would take this hybrid model to make friends with another board.

 

[Hitman]

PCB got an iota of leverage when pakistanis played the IPL. They tried to arm twist BCCI with it. Tried to sabotage the IPL.

Dada, do you remember the celebrations on PP when news came out back in 2009 that the PCB decided not to issue NOC's to Pakistani players for the IPL of that year?

 

[cricketjoshila]

Dada, do you remember the celebrations on PP when news came out back in 2009 that the PCB decided not to issue NOC's to Pakistani players for the IPL of that year?

Posters here predicted the demise of IPL.

 

[Hitman]

Posters here predicted the demise of IPL.

A certain mod by the name of Mercenary was dancing in the aisles who said he won't have to wait for certain Pakistani players to wait for them having to bat or complete his quota his overs of bowling. Pakistani fans can simply ignore that whole 2009 IPL.

 

[emranabbas]

1990 Asia Cup - Pakistan boycotted it due to political tensions with India.

1993 Asia Cup - The entire tournament was cancelled because Pakistan again decided to boycott the tournament.

1993 Hero Cup - Pakistan pulled out from the tournament just 4 days before the first match.


Now since the shoe is on the other foot, India should not mix politics with sports? Or should we forget the past because what happened cannot be changed?​

Hero cup and asia cup ICC events?

 

[emranabbas]

If PCB had intelligence they would take this hybrid model to make friends with another board.

You say Pakistan isn’t making smart choices by turning down the hybrid model,

but you are running back and fordward desperately wanting this tounament to go o

Deep down, we know you actually want to play Pakistan.

Any self respecting board would turn down the tournament and wait for ICC to approach them

Clearly desperate to play that's why your running back and forward

 

[sweep_shot]

If it is a hybrid model, Pakistan should refuse to play India.

If CT moves completely out of Pakistan, Pakistan should boycott the whole tournament.

That should be the approach.

 

[Hitman]

Hero cup and asia cup ICC events?

Yea, maybe BCCI should wait for Pakistan to be awarded an ICC event next to make their 'point'.

Moral of the story - Don't poke someone in the eye if you can't take back retaliation.​

 

[Barragan]

Go hybrid, but don't travel to india for next years T20 world cup - same as india is doing

If it is moved completely, then just pull out

 

[Itachi]

Hero cup and asia cup ICC events?

It's about principles.

Would you change your stance if it's not Pakistan that is in losing end here but let's say Afghanistan or Kenya or Uganda?

 

[rpant_gabba]

Hero cup and asia cup ICC events?

that would make a difference becos...?

 

[cricketjoshila]

If it is a hybrid model, Pakistan should refuse to play India.

If CT moves completely out of Pakistan, Pakistan should boycott the whole tournament.

That should be the approach.

What about Bangladesh?

 

[emranabbas]

that would make a difference becos...?

You don't know the diffrence between a world tournament and a hero cup lol

 

[emranabbas]

It's about principles.

Would you change your stance if it's not Pakistan that is in losing end here but let's say Afghanistan or Kenya or Uganda?

In a normal world, people don’t make a fuss over a tournament they turned down themselves.

India’s just looking for attention here. Saying, "Let us play somewhere else, or we’re not sharing the money"

just comes off as desperate from their side.

 

[Hitman]

If it's an ICC tournament, it will be differentiated between a World Cup and other ICC events. If the issue is then brought up between World Cups, it will be between the ODI World Cup and the T20 World Cup.

 

[cricketjoshila]

You say Pakistan isn’t making smart choices by turning down the hybrid model,

but you are running back and fordward desperately wanting this tounament to go o

Deep down, we know you actually want to play Pakistan.

Any self respecting board would turn down the tournament and wait for ICC to approach them

Clearly desperate to play that's why your running back and forward

Ok. Turn down the ICC offer.