The ICC has called off the Champions Trophy event scheduled for November 11 due to a scheduling conflict.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has called off a significant event related to next year’s Champions Trophy due to ongoing issues with the tournament’s scheduling, particularly concerning India’s matches. The ICC had planned to officially announce the schedule on November 11 in Lahore, but this has now been cancelled.
“The schedule isn’t finalized yet. We are still in discussions with the host and participating countries about the Champions Trophy schedule. Once it’s confirmed, we will announce it through our usual channels,” stated an official familiar with the situation, following India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the eight-team 50-over competition. The ICC has not responded to multiple inquiries about the cancellation.
The event was intended to mark the 100-day countdown to the tournament, scheduled for February 19 to March 19, but scheduling issues have created complications. There’s a possibility that the ICC may use the severe smog currently affecting Lahore as a reason for the cancellation. One official suggested this as a potential explanation.
“It was only the flag-off of the trophy tour and the tournament/branding launch,” an official explained, downplaying the controversy surrounding the cancellation. “The event is still being worked on, but it may be rescheduled due to the outdoor conditions in Lahore right now.” A source from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that no event has been scheduled for Monday.
The ICC and the PCB are now likely to adopt a hybrid model, an arrangement that had been anticipated from the start. A budget had already been allocated for such a contingency plan, which includes the possibility of holding some matches in the UAE.
Although it was always uncertain whether India would travel to Pakistan, the ICC’s role in this issue has come under scrutiny. It has recently come to light that during a board meeting in Dubai, the ICC had informed its members and stakeholders that the schedule would be announced on November 11. While this was shared with the members, it remains unclear whether the ICC fully consulted all parties involved. Recent developments suggest otherwise.
After the meeting, the BCCI formally informed the ICC that it had not received approval from the Indian government to travel to Pakistan. The PCB, however, claims it has not received any official communication, either from the ICC or the BCCI.
“We have a clear stance that they need to provide us with a written statement if the Indian board has any issues,” said PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. “As of now, we have not discussed any hybrid model, but we are open to it,” he added, noting that no official letter has been received regarding the matter.
It now seems inevitable that the ICC and PCB will need to agree on a hybrid model, with some matches possibly being held in the UAE, particularly those involving India. India’s original fixtures in Lahore — against Bangladesh on February 20, New Zealand on February 23, and Pakistan on March 1 — are expected to be adjusted, with changes to the venues likely, though the dates for the 15-match competition might remain the same.
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